JPH0328352B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in steering lock devices used in vehicles.

In general, the last wheel axle that is not driven by the engine in a rear dual-axle vehicle with a heavy load, such as a rear dual-axle truck, is configured as a self-trailing steer rear wheel axle to reliably support the load of the truck. Of course, these trucks are now self-trailing when turning to reduce the turning radius.

In such a rear two-axle truck with a self-trailing steer rear axle, the steer
The locking device locks the self-trailing steer rear wheel axle in a neutral state, that is, in a straight-ahead direction, when the truck is traveling at high speeds and when reversing. The vehicle has been designed to improve the running stability of the vehicle and to ensure safe and reliable reversing of the vehicle.

The steer lock device usually consists of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, which is fixed to the chassis side of the truck, and the end of the push rod that is moved in and out of the cylinder is connected to the knuckle control arm side of the steer rear wheel axle. is connected to.

However, the cylinder is located laterally on the chassis, and the push rod is reciprocated laterally, whereas the knuckle control arm is placed on the rear wheel that rotatably supports the steering rear axle.・Since it rotates around the pin,
The push rod is required to move to follow the nut control arm, and the push rod's reciprocating movement and its nut control
The cylinder must be equipped with a mechanism to absorb deviations from the rotational movement of the control arm;
As a result, it has become difficult to use a conventional pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder as the steer lock device; in other words, a special cylinder for the steer lock device has had to be used.

In addition, the conventional steering lock device of this type is
The pneumatic or hydraulic system for the steer lock device is configured to place the self-trailing steer rear wheel axle in a self-trailing lock condition when pneumatic or hydraulic pressure is applied. In the event of a failure,
The self-trailing type steering rear wheel axle was always in a self-trailing state, and there was a risk that running stability at high speeds and maneuverability when reversing would be significantly impaired.

The object and problem of the present invention is to place a self-trailing type steer rear wheel axle in either a self-trailing state or a self-trailing lock state depending on the driving state of the vehicle, and to set the self-trailing type steer rear wheel axle in either a self-trailing state or a self-trailing lock state depending on the driving state of the vehicle. It reduces the turning radius, improves steering stability when the vehicle is running at high speeds and when backing up, and enables safe running and backing up.
In the means for enabling such operation, the direction of the push rod is freely changed following the rotational movement of the nutacle control arm, and the reciprocating movement of the push rod and the rotational movement of the nuticle control arm are controlled. The structure is simplified by omitting a mechanism to absorb the deviation between
A vehicle that enables safe driving by leaving the vehicle in a locked state, ensuring steering stability, and preventing loss of steering stability even when the vehicle is running at high speed or when reversing. Provides a steering lock device for use.

In connection with the above-mentioned objects and problems, the steering lock device used in the vehicle of the present invention includes a steering lock device that is fixedly connected to a self-trailing steer rear wheel shaft, and a steering lock device that a sleeve disposed in the cylinder having one end open and the other end closed and connected to the knuckle control arm by a ball joint; a steer lock spring disposed within the cylinder; A spring steer has a push rod pushed out of its cylinder by a spring, and is placed near the rear wheel shaft of the steerer, and the push rod is reciprocatably fitted into the sleeve.
Near the lock cylinder and its steer rear wheel axle,
A chassis-side yoke that is fixedly disposed on the chassis side, a cylinder-side yoke that is fixedly disposed on the cylinder of the spring steer lock cylinder, and a cylinder-side yoke that is rotatable to the chassis-side yoke. Connect it and put it on.
The configuration includes a universal joint consisting of a cross spider that allows the rod to reciprocate, and a solenoid valve that supplies and discharges pressurized fluid to and from the spring steer lock cylinder depending on the vehicle's running conditions. It is in.

Hereinafter, specific examples of the steering lock device used in the vehicle of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 show a specific example 10 of a steering lock device used in a vehicle according to the present invention, which is applied to a rear two-axle type truck 63.

Thereafter, the two-axle type truck 63 has a rear front axle 65,
66 is driven by an engine (not shown) mounted on its truck 63, and the rear axle is the last axle.
Axle beam 67 then front axles 65, 66
The last wheel axles 17, 18 which are disposed at the rear of the rear axle beam 67 and are swingably connected to both ends of the rear axle beam 67 are constructed as self-trailing type steer rear wheel axles. - The locking device 10 has been constructed such that its self-trailing steer rear wheel axles 17, 18 can be placed in a self-trailing and self-trailing locking condition.

The steer lock device 10 includes knuckle control arms 19 and 20 provided on the knuckles 15 and 16 with the steer rear wheel axles 17 and 18, respectively, and a shaft 64 of the track 63.
is placed laterally, one end is open, and
Close the other end and connect the ball joints 61, 6 to the nutcle control arms 19, 20.
2 sleeves 22, 23 and cylinders 26, 2
Steer lock spring 3 located in 7
2, 33, and push rods 13, 14 pushed out of the cylinders 26, 27 by the steer lock springs 32, 33, and located near the steer rear wheel axles 17, 18. Spring steer lock cylinder 1 in which the push rods 13 and 14 are reciprocatably fitted into the sleeves 22 and 23 of the spring steer lock cylinder 1.
1, 12, and a chassis side yoke 44 fixedly disposed on the chassis 64 side near the steer rear wheel axles 17, 18, fixed to the cylinders 26, 27 of the spring steer lock cylinders 11, 12. The cylinder side yoke 45 is rotatably connected to the cylinder side yoke 45 and the cylinder side yoke 45 is arranged as shown in FIG.
Universal joint 4 consisting of cross spiders 47 and 48 in which rods 13 and 14 are fitted together so that they can reciprocate
0 and 41, and a solenoid valve 85 that supplies and discharges compressed air to and from the spring steer lock cylinders 11 and 12 according to the running condition of the truck 63. - located in a pneumatic line 84 connecting its spring steer lock cylinders 11, 12 to a tank (not shown);

The spring steer lock cylinder 1
1 and 12 are cylinders 26 and 27 equipped with air relief holes 36 and 37, and pistons 28 and 29 fitted into the cylinders 26 and 27 so as to be able to reciprocate and slide.
, one end side can be inserted into and taken out from one end surface of the cylinders 26 and 27, and the other end can be inserted into and removed from the piston 2.
Pushrod 13, 14 connected to 8, 29
and steer lock springs 32, 33 disposed within the cylinders 26, 27 so as to push out the push rods 13, 14.

Of course, the cylinders 26, 27 of the spring steer lock cylinders 11, 12 are provided with ports 34, 35 on one end face, respectively, from which the compression is transferred into the cylinder chambers 38, 39 of the cylinders 26, 27. When air is delivered, the pistons 28, 29 slide against the steer lock springs 32, 33, the push rods 13, 14 are retracted, and the steer lock springs 32, 33 are retracted. 33 steer lock operation, i.e. self trailing.
The locking operation is configured to be released.

The universal joints 40, 41 connect the spring steer lock cylinders 11, 12 near their self-trailing steer rear wheel axles 17, 18.
on the chassis 64 side of the truck 63, that is,
They are each rotatably attached to the rear axle beam 67.

The universal joints 40, 41 are attached to a bracket 4 whose base is fixed to the rear axle beam 67.
2, 43 formed at the end of the seat side yoke 44
, a cylinder side yoke 45 fixed to one end face of the spring steer lock cylinders 11 and 12, and cross spiders 47 and 48 in which the cylinder side yoke 45 is rotatably connected to the chassis side yoke 44. It was composed of Of course, the chassis side and cylinder side yokes 44,
45 is spider bore 74, 75, 76, 7
7, 78, 79, 80, 81, respectively, and the cross spiders 47, 48 have spring steer lock cylinders 11, 1, respectively.
Through-hole 5 for passing push rods 13 and 14 of 2
7,58 are formed.

Therefore, the tips of the cross spiders 47 and 48 are inserted into the spider bores 74 and 7.
5, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, and furthermore, those cross spiders 47, 48
so as to rotatably support each tip of the
Spider caps with multiple needle bearings placed inside 49, 50, 51, 52, 5
3, 54, 55, 56 to those spider bore 7
4,75,76,77,78,79,80,81
are embedded in each.

In that way, the Cross Spider 47,
When the cylinder side yoke 45 is connected to the chassis side yoke 44 via the spring steer lock cylinders 11, 12, the push rods 13, 14 of the spring steer lock cylinders 11, 12 are connected through the cross spiders 47, 48. It is passed through holes 57 and 58.

Of course, the push rods 13, 14 ends of those spring steer lock cylinders 11, 12, which are rotatably connected to the rear axle beam 67 via universal joints 40, 41 as described above, 63, that is, toward the nuticle control arms 19 and 20, which will be described later.

Natsukuru Control Arm 19,20
The self-trailing steer rear wheel axle 1
7 and 18, respectively, are integrally formed with the knuckles 15 and 16.

That is, the knuckles 15, 16 are provided with the self-trailing type steer rear wheel axles 17, 18, and are connected to the rear wheels via the king pins 69, 70.
It is rotatably connected to both ends of the axle beam 67, and its knuckle control arms 19 and 20 are projected toward the front side of the track 63 and attached to the knuckles 15 and 16, respectively. It is integrally formed.

Further, the knuckles 15 and 16 are provided with tie rod arms 71 and
72, and the tie rod arms 71 and 72 are connected to each other via a tie rod 73.

Sleeves 22, 23 are used for pushing the spring steer lock cylinders 11, 12 mentioned above.
One end is open to reciprocally receive the ends of the rods 13 and 14, and the other end is connected to the ends of the knuckle control arms 19 and 20 by ball joints 61 and 62.

That is, the sleeves 22, 23 are open at one end with rod guide bores 24, 25 for reciprocatingly receiving the ends of the push rods 13, 14, and the other end is open to the knuckle control arm. The push rods 13, 14 of the spring steer lock cylinders 11, 12 are pushed out by the steer lock springs 32, 33. When the push rods 13 and 14 are inserted, the tips of the push rods 13 and 14 touch the bottom wall 5 of the rod guide bores 24 and 25.
9, 60, in other words, the rotation of the knuckle control arms 19, 20 as well as the rotation of the knuckles 15, 16 about the king pins 69, 70 is regulated. - The trailing steer rear wheel axles 17, 18 are arranged in a self-trailing lock state.

Of course, when the push rods 13, 14 of the spring steer lock cylinders 11, 12 are retracted by air pressure, the tips of the push rods 13, 14
without hitting the bottom walls of the guide bores 24, 25.
Reciprocating movement of the sleeves 22, 23 relative to the push rods 13, 14 is allowed, so that the self-trailing steer rear axle 1
7 and 18 are placed in a self-trailing state.

Further, the outer sides of the sleeves 22 and 23 are covered with rubber boots (not shown).
Connecting one end of the boot to its sleeve 22, 23 and the other end to its push rod 13, 14,
It is desirable that the sleeves 22 and 23 be configured to prevent dust, sand, water, etc. from entering.

An air tank (not shown) is connected to pneumatic piping 84
are connected to ports 34 and 35 of spring steer lock cylinders 11 and 12, respectively.

Compressed air is supplied into the air tank from an air compressor (not shown) driven by the engine of the truck 63.

Further, a solenoid valve 85 is provided in a pneumatic pipe 84 connecting the air tank and the steer lock cylinders 11 and 12.

The solenoid valve 85 is a three-way control valve that includes a tank port 86, a cylinder port 87, and an exhaust port 88, and simultaneously closes the exhaust port 88 by an electric signal. It is configured to selectively connect the cylinder port 87 to the exhaust port 88, and simultaneously close the tank port 86 and connect the cylinder port 87 to the exhaust port 88.

The solenoid coil of the solenoid valve 85 is connected to an amplifier (not shown) that amplifies signals from a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) and a back-up switch (not shown) in the transmission (not shown) of the truck 63. (not shown).

Of course, the electromagnetic coil of the electromagnetic valve 85 is energized when the truck 63 is traveling at high speed or in reverse according to the signals from the vehicle speed sensor and the back-up switch, and the tank port 86 is activated. When closed, its cylinder port 87 is connected to its exhaust port 88, and when its truck 63 is not energized during normal travel outside of such conditions, its exhaust port 88 is in communication with its exhaust port 88.
The tank port 86 is configured to communicate with the cylinder port 87 when the cylinder port 87 is closed.

Next, to describe the running of the rear two-axle truck 63 equipped with the steer lock device 10 configured as described above, when the truck 63 runs at a low speed, the solenoid valve 8
5 is not energized, the exhaust port 88 of its solenoid valve 85 is closed, and the tank port 86 is closed.
is communicated to cylinder port 87.

That is, compressed air from the air tank is sent to the cylinder chambers 38, 39 of the spring steer lock cylinders 11, 12, and the piston 2 is moved against the steer lock springs 32, 33.
8,29 is slid, push rod 13,1
4 are each retracted inward.

As a result, the sleeves 22, 23 are allowed to reciprocate with respect to the push rods 13, 14,
Its self-trailing type steer rear wheel axle 17,
18 is placed in a self-trailing state, and the turning radius when the truck 63 travels at low speed is reduced.

At this time, the spring steer lock cylinders 11, 12 are rotatably supported by the rear axle beam 63 via the universal joints 40, 41, so that the self-steering of the steer rear wheel axles 17, 18 is prevented. The orientation of the spring steer lock cylinders 11, 12 can be freely changed according to the conditions.

Therefore, the spring steer lock is applied to the self-steering of the steered rear wheel axles 17 and 18.
The self-steering of the cylinders 11 and 12 is extremely smooth with virtually no interference between the cylinders 11 and 12.

When the truck 63 travels at high speed, the solenoid valve 85 is activated by a signal from the vehicle speed sensor.
The solenoid coil is energized, the tank port 86 of the solenoid valve 85 is closed, and the cylinder port 87 is connected to the exhaust port 88.

In other words, the spring steer lock
The compressed air in the cylinder chambers 38, 39 of the cylinders 11, 12 is vented to the atmosphere through its exhaust port 78, and the steer lock springs 32, 3
3, the pistons 28, 29 are slid in the opposite direction to that described above, and their push rods 13, 14 are pushed outward, respectively.

As a result, the tips of the push rods 13 and 14 are connected to the rods in the sleeves 22 and 23.
It hits the bottom walls 59, 60 of the guide bores 24, 25, restricting the reciprocating movement of the sleeves 22, 23 relative to the push rods 13, 14, and the self-trailing steer rear wheel axles 17, 18.
The truck 63 is placed in a self-trail lock state, improving running stability when the truck 63 runs at high speed.

Of course, when the truck 63 moves backward,
The back up switch is automatically energized by the reverse operation of the transmission;
The solenoid valve 85 is activated by the up switch.
The electromagnetic coils of the vehicle are energized, and the self-trailing type steer rear wheel axles 17, 18 are placed in a self-trailing lock state, as in the case of high-speed travel described above, thereby stabilizing the maneuverability when reversing.

Also, if the pneumatic system, such as the air tank or pneumatic piping, fails due to the spring steer lock cylinders 11 and 12 while the truck 63 is running, the spring steer lock cylinders 11 and 12 may fail.
cylinder chamber 38 of lock cylinders 11, 12;
As the pressure in 39 decreases due to such a failure, the push rods 13, 14 are pushed out by the steer lock springs 32, 33, and the self-trailing steer rear axle 17, 18 is placed in self-trail lock.

Therefore, in the unlikely event that the pneumatic system for the spring steer lock cylinders 11, 12 should fail, the self-trailing steer rear wheel axles 17, 18 will always be in the self-trailing lock state. In particular, the running stability and maneuverability are prevented from being impaired during high-speed running and when reversing, and safe running becomes possible.

In the above-described steer lock device 10, the knuckle control arms 19, 20 are provided with the knuckles 15, 16 so as to be able to regulate the movements of the knuckles 15, 16. , 16 can be projected in any direction, and the tie rod arms 71, 7
2 the nutkul control arm 19,
It is also possible to have 20 functions. In that case, the other ends of the sleeves 22, 23 are attached to the ball at appropriate positions on the tie rod arms 71, 73.
Connected with Jiyouin.

As can be understood from the foregoing, the steer lock device used in the vehicle of the present invention includes a knuckle control arm fixedly connected to the self-trailing steer rear axle, and arranged laterally of the chassis. , a sleeve having one end open and the other end closed and connected to the knuckle control arm by a ball joint; a steer lock spring disposed within the cylinder; and a steer lock spring disposed within the cylinder; A spring steer lock cylinder having a push rod pushed out from the cylinder and disposed near the rear wheel shaft of the steerer and reciprocatingly fitting the push rod into the sleeve; The chassis side yoke is fixedly placed on the chassis side near the wheel axle.
a cylinder side yoke fixedly disposed on the cylinder of the spring steer lock cylinder;
and a universal joint consisting of a cross spider which rotatably connects the cylinder side yoke to the chassis side yoke and engages the push rod in a reciprocating manner;
Since the spring steer lock cylinder includes a solenoid valve for supplying and discharging pressurized fluid, the steer lock device used in the vehicle of this invention does not supply pressurized fluid when the vehicle is running at low speed. is supplied to the cylinder by the solenoid valve, and is pulled back from the sleeve and self-energized as the push rod is retracted into the cylinder against the steer lock spring.
Trailing Steer The rear axle is placed in a self-trailing condition, resulting in a small turning radius, and when the vehicle is traveling at high speed or in reverse, pressurized fluid is diverted from its cylinder by its solenoid valve. As the push rod is pushed out of the cylinder by the steer lock spring, it is pressed against the sleeve and the self-trailing steer rear axle becomes self-trailing locked. As a result, the driving stability is improved when driving at high speeds, and the maneuverability is stabilized when reversing, thus allowing safe driving and reversing. - The steer lock cylinder is configured such that it moves toward the steer lock when pressurized fluid is discharged from the cylinder, and moves toward the self steer side when pressurized fluid is supplied to the cylinder. Therefore, even if the hydraulic system of the spring steer lock cylinder should fail, the steer rear axle will always be able to self-trail due to the steer lock spring. As a result, the vehicle can be driven safely even when the hydraulic system has failed, and the driving stability and maneuverability are prevented from being impaired, especially when driving at high speeds and when reversing. The vehicle is then able to travel safely, and furthermore, the means for enabling such operation is such that the orientation of the push rod follows the rotational movement of the nut control arm at the universal joint. The structure can be changed freely, and a mechanism for absorbing the deviation between the reciprocating motion of the push rod and the rotational motion of the knuckle control arm is omitted, simplifying the structure and making it extremely practical.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of a steer lock device used in a vehicle of the present invention applied to a rear two-axle type truck, and Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the steer lock device shown in Fig. 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view, FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the spring steer lock cylinder, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a specific example of the steer lock device used in the vehicle of the present invention. 11, 12...Spring steer lock
Cylinder, 13, 14... Push rod, 1
7, 18... Self-trailing type steer rear wheel axle, 19, 20... Knuckle control arm, 22, 23... Sleeve, 63... Rear two-axle type truck, 64... Seat.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A knuckle control arm fixedly connected to a self-trailing steer rear wheel axle, arranged in the lateral direction of the chassis and having one end open;
and a sleeve whose other end is closed and connected to the knuckle control arm by a ball joint, a steer lock spring disposed within the cylinder, and a sleeve pushed out of the cylinder by the steer lock spring. a spring steer lock cylinder having a push rod and disposed near the steer rear wheel axle and reciprocatingly fitting the push rod into the sleeve; a chassis side yoke fixedly disposed on the side, a cylinder side yoke fixedly disposed on the cylinder of the spring steer lock cylinder, and the cylinder side yoke rotatably connected to the chassis side yoke. It includes a universal joint consisting of a cross spider that engages the push rod in a reciprocating manner, and a solenoid valve that supplies and discharges pressurized fluid to and from the spring steer lock cylinder depending on the vehicle running condition. Steering lock device used in vehicles.