Volvo Truck Corporation

Volvo Lastvagnar Ab

International Rectifier Corporation

Stefan Preijert

Leon Fuks

Anders Olsson

Jan Zachrisson

Andreas Gustavsson

Hoda Yarmohamadi

Ingela Stjärnvy

Jonas LÖfgren

The invention relates to a vehicle steering system comprising a steering wheel, a first and a second steering assembly. The steering assemblies each comprise a steering linkage mechanically connected to a road wheel and a support motor. The steering wheel is configured to control a steering angle of a first road wheel via a first support motor actuating a first steering linkage. A processing circuitry is configured to receive, from the first steering assembly, input signals comprising one or more steering parameter values measured for the first steering assembly. Based on the received first input signals, the processing circuitry is configured to calculate a desired steering angle of a second road wheel and to send control signals to a second support motor so as to actuate a second steering linkage such that the desired steering angle of the second road wheel is obtained. A method is also disclosed.

Vehicle steering system and method for controlling a steering angle of a vehicle wheel

A steering assembly for a vehicle comprising a first, a second, a third, and a fourth wheel, a first steering actuator comprising a first actuating member, and a second steering actuator comprising a second actuating member. The first actuating member is connected to each of the first wheel and the second wheel. The second actuating member is connected to each of the third wheel and the fourth wheel. The steering assembly comprises a connection arrangement. The first and second steering actuators are connected to each other via the connection arrangement such that the first actuating member and the second actuating member move independently of each other when a relative movement parameter is within a predetermined relative movement range and the connection arrangement transfers movement between the first actuating member and the second actuating member when the relative movement parameter is outside the predetermined relative movement range.

Steering assembly for a vehicle

A vehicle steering assembly comprising an input shaft to be connected to a steering device, a first electric motor connected to the input shaft and arranged to provide a steering device torque and/or a steering device angle, an output shaft connected via a steering linkage to a number of ground engaging members, a rod placed between the input shaft and the output shaft, a first arm rotatably connected to the input shaft and rotatably connected to the rod, and a second arm rotatably connected to the rod and rotatably connected to the output shaft, a second electric motor connected to the output shaft and arranged to provide a steering control torque and/or a steering control angle, wherein the rod comprises a flexible drag link, which in combination with the first and second arm provide for forces in longitudinal direction to be absorbed.

Vehicle steering assembly

A wheel suspension arrangement is provided for a vehicle having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a vertical direction. The wheel suspension arrangement includes a wheel holder for supporting a vehicle wheel. A first vertical end region of the wheel holder is pivotally attached to a vehicle support structure by a rigid control arm and a second vertical end region of the wheel holder is attached to the vehicle support structure by a leaf spring. A longitudinal direction of the leaf spring is arranged substantially in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The leaf spring is pivotally attached to the vehicle support structure at a transverse center region of the vehicle, and a center of the leaf spring in the transverse direction is located vertically offset from a pivotal attachment location of the leaf spring. The pivotal attachment location of the leaf spring is vertically offset towards the side of the rigid control arm.

Wheel suspension with centrally pivoted transverse leaf spring

A method for assisting a driver of a vehicle during operation by providing the driver with a desired steering feel, involves detecting a first steering angle for an output shaft, which first steering angle indicates the position of ground engaging members; detecting a second steering angle for an input shaft, which second steering angle indicates the position of a steering device; comparing the first and second steering angles and determining a current state of a steering arrangement; and controlling a first actuator connected to the output shaft and a second actuator connected to the input shaft in response to the detected first and second steering angles, in order to achieve a desired state of the steering arrangement; and applying a torque to the steering device proportional to the angular difference between the output shaft and the input shaft using a resilient portion in an interconnection. An arrangement is also disclosed.

Method and arrangement for an electrical steering system

A forged hollow axle, particularly a steerable axle, is designed for a commercial vehicle. The axle has a main longitudinal extension in a y-direction, a width in an x-direction and a height in a z-direction and is composed of at least two half shells fixedly joined at an interface which extends along its longitudinal extension. A material thickness in one or both of the half shells is distributed in the main longitudinal extension and in one or both of width and height to provide a predetermined relation of a torsional stiffness and a bending stiffness in one or more spatial directions in one or more axle sections.

Forged hollow axle and method for making the same

A vehicle suspension leaf spring assembly is arranged to be mounted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle on opposite sides thereof. The leaf spring assembly has a first end, which is arranged for pivotal connection to a first bracket on the vehicle; and a second end, which is arranged for connection to a spring shackle on the vehicle. The leaf spring assembly is arranged to be connected to an axle extending transversely of the leaf spring assembly at a position intermediate the first and second ends of the leaf spring assembly. The leaf spring assembly includes two individual leaf springs arranged side-by-side with a predetermined spacing and extending between the first and second ends.

Vehicle suspension comprising light weight leaf spring assembly

A vehicle suspension includes a pair of leaf springs arranged to extend longitudinally on opposed sides of a vehicle frame. Each leaf spring has a first end pivotally connected to the vehicle with a first bracket attached rigidly to the frame at a first position. A second end is connected to the vehicle frame with a spring shackle pivotably connected to a second bracket attached rigidly to the frame at a second position, in order to compensate for length changes of the leaf spring under load conditions. The suspension further includes an axle extending transversely of the vehicle frame which axle is mounted to each leaf spring at a position intermediate its first and second ends. At least an upper leaf of the leaf spring is a parabolic spring having a convex portion extending towards the frame, and the convex portion is located between the first end and the intermediate position.

Front leaf spring

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a hollow, elongated structural element, where a first and a second blank () are led through an oven () for heating to working temperature and are led through rollers () with profiled surfaces for pre-forming in one or more steps. The blanks are each led through a forging press with a number of cooperating dies, the blank being worked in a number of steps () into halves of an essentially finished product, having a cross-section substantially in the shape of a U-profile with a predetermined varying height, width and thickness of material along its length. The second blank () is essentially a copy of the first blank (). In a final step () the blanks are joined together into a composite hollow structural element (). The invention also relates to a structural element manufactured according to the method.

Method of manufacturing hollow structural elements

Method and apparatus for providing a hollow, elongated construction element, for example for use as a vehicle front axle. The method includes () directing a first blank through a furnace () for heating the blank to a working temperature. The blank is directed between a pair of rollers () having profiled surfaces, the blank being preformed in one or more steps to form an intermediate product having a predetermined profile along its longitudinal extent. The blank is fed to a forging press having a number of cooperating die pads, the blank being worked in a plurality of steps () to form a substantially finished product, having a cross section substantially in the form of a hat profile of predetermined varying height, width and material thickness along its length. A second blank (), having essentially the same profile as the hat profile of the first blank in the dividing plane of the cooperating die pads, is placed in connection with the hat profile. In a later step (), the first () and the second blank () are joined together, at least along their respective edges, to form a composite hollow construction element (). One embodiment of the disclosed invention is also the construction element that is produced according to the above-described method.

Method for producing a vehicle axle

A wheel suspension for vehicles that includes leaf spring assemblies mounted in pairs on each side of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and also at least one damper device mounted on the vehicle in conjunction with at least one wheel axle. The wheel suspension also has a central section of each leaf spring assembly which is mounted rotatably relative to an attachment device fixed to the vehicle, the ends of each leaf spring assembly being attached movably relative to the vehicle, where at least one of the ends of each leaf spring assembly supports a wheel axle and a damper device.

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Göteborg, Sweden

Stefan Preijert