EP1056636A1 - Systeme de direction - Google Patents

Systeme de direction

Info

Publication number
EP1056636A1
EP1056636A1 EP99907189A EP99907189A EP1056636A1 EP 1056636 A1 EP1056636 A1 EP 1056636A1 EP 99907189 A EP99907189 A EP 99907189A EP 99907189 A EP99907189 A EP 99907189A EP 1056636 A1 EP1056636 A1 EP 1056636A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wheels
vehicle according
driven
axle
gear
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99907189A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1056636A4 (fr
Inventor
Alan Leslie Bidwell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
IGC Australia Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
IGC Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by IGC Australia Pty Ltd filed Critical IGC Australia Pty Ltd
Publication of EP1056636A1 publication Critical patent/EP1056636A1/fr
Publication of EP1056636A4 publication Critical patent/EP1056636A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D7/00—Steering linkage; Stub axles or their mountings
    • B62D7/02—Steering linkage; Stub axles or their mountings for pivoted bogies
    • B62D7/026—Steering linkage; Stub axles or their mountings for pivoted bogies characterised by comprising more than one bogie, e.g. situated in more than one plane transversal to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
    • B62B3/001—Steering devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B2301/00—Wheel arrangements; Steering; Stability; Wheel suspension
    • B62B2301/06—Steering all wheels together simultaneously

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a steering system and refers particularly, but not exclusively, to a steering system for wheeled vehicles or articles providing for steering of the wheels of the vehicle.
  • a wheel or wheels is to be taken as including a reference to a castor or castors, or a wheel acting as a castor.
  • Many vehicles have a plurality of wheels (as defined above) which are independently mounted on an axle relative to the vehicle such that the wheel can rotate relative to the axle to enable the vehicle to be moved, including around corners.
  • the wheels operate independently.
  • Good examples are work trolleys and shopping trolleys. In many instances this makes it difficult to use the vehicle as a knock or slight damage to the axle or the wheel can cause a particular wheel to be off-line and therefore act as a brake when moving the vehicle.
  • the vehicle will tend to follow the slope. Numerous 2 examples of loaded shopping trolleys rolling sideways down hills or driveways in parking lots have been recorded!
  • the present invention provides a vehicle (as hereinbefore defined) having a plurality of spaced-apart wheels (as hereinbefore defined), each wheel being attached to the vehicle by means of an axle, each axle having a longitudinal axis, there being a separate axle for each wheel; the arrangement being such that rotation of one axle about its longitudinal axis will cause the wheel mounted thereon to change direction relative to the vehicle, each axle having attached thereto a driven means, each driven means being adapted to be driven by a drive means such that rotation of one axle causes all other axles to also rotate about their longitudinal axis.
  • the driven means is a gear.
  • the drive means is a gear system.
  • the drive means may be a chain or belt drive.
  • a spring tensioning means is provided so as to maintain appropriate contact between the drive means and each of the gears. More preferably, there is also provided a centralising device. 3
  • the gear system when the drive means is a gear system, the gear system includes a central gear which is in engagement with two of the gears, and which engages the others of the gears by means of intermediate gears.
  • the two gears in direct contact with the central gear are at the one end of the vehicle.
  • intermediate gears the other gears will cause their axles to rotate in the opposite direction to the gears in direct engagement with the central gear.
  • the wheels are arranged as a front pair of wheels and a rear pair of wheels, the front pair of having their gears being driven by direct engagement with the central gear.
  • the front pair of wheels are adapted to be driven by the chain or belt drive so the rotation of one of the front pair of wheels will cause the other of the front pair of wheels to change into the same direction, the other wheels turning in the opposite direction.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment
  • Figure 2 is a schematic top plan view of the a second embodiment
  • Figure 3 is a schematic front end view of the vehicle of Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is a schematic top plan view of a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 is a schematic top plan view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 6 is a schematic top plan view of a variation of the embodiment of Figure 5.
  • Figure 7 is a schematic top plan view of a further variation of the embodiment of Figure 5.
  • a vehicle which is generally designated as 10.
  • the vehicle has a body 12, and which is intended to be pushed or otherwise driven by means of a handle (not shown), or by a load on the vehicle.
  • the body 12 has four wheels 16, all substantially identical, although this is not of necessity always so.
  • the wheels 16 are arranged as a front pair 18 of wheels 16 and a rear pair 20 of wheels 16.
  • Each wheel 16 is mounted to the body 12 of vehicle 10 by means of an axle 22, each axle 22 being separate.
  • Each wheel 16 is attached its axle 22 by a mounting bracket 24 so that the wheels 16 all act as a castor.
  • To each axle 22 is securely mounted a gear 26, the gear 26 preferably being mounted within body 12, although it may be above or below body 12.
  • Each gear 26 does not directly engage any other gear 26. It is preferred that each gear 26 be a full 360° gear so that the axles 22 can rotate through 360°, thus enabling each wheel 16 to be able to proceed in any direction.
  • a central gear 28 is also mounted within body 12 by an axle 30 .
  • gear 28 may be located within, above or below body 12.
  • Central gear 28 directly engages each of the gears 26 of the front pair 18 of wheels 16. Therefore, rotation of axle 22 of at least one of the wheels 16 of front pair 18 will cause the relevant gear 26 to rotate with the axle 22. That will cause central gear 28 to rotate. Therefore, the other gear 26 of the other wheel 16 of the front pair 18 will also rotate.
  • the rotation of the two front gears 26 will be in the same 5 rotational direction and thus each wheel 16 of the front pair 18 wheels 16 will point in the same direction. If the two front gears 26 are substantially identical, wheels 16 of the front pair 18 will both point in the same direction at the same angle.
  • the gears 26 engage with central gear 28 by means of intermediate gears 32, also rotatably mounted in, on or above body 12 by means of axle 34. Therefore, rotation of central gear 28 will cause the intermediate gears 32 to rotate and this will cause the gears 26 of the rear pair 20 of wheels 16 to rotate in the opposite direction to the gears 26 of the front pair 18 of wheels 16.
  • gears 26 be identical such that the extent of angular rotation of both the front pair 18 of wheels 16 and rear pair 20 of wheels 16 will be the same.
  • Gears 32 can be different to the gears 26, but should be the same as each other.
  • the gears 26 are preferably a 360° gear although they may be a segment of a circle, if desired.
  • the central gear 28 may also be a full 360° gear, although again it may be a plurality of segments - there being a segment for each wheel 16, or each pair of wheels 18, 20. 6
  • a vehicle 110 with a body 112.
  • a handle 114 is provided to enable the vehicle 110 to be moved and steered.
  • the body 112 has four wheels 116, all substantially identical, although this is not of necessity always so.
  • the wheels 116 are arranged as a front pair 1 18 of wheels 116, and a rear pair 120 of wheels 1 16.
  • Each wheel is mounted to the body 112 of vehicle 110 by means of a substantially horizontal axle 122, each axle 122 being separate.
  • Each wheel 116 is attached to its axle 122 by a link 124 so that the wheels 116 will act as a castor.
  • Each axle 122 is securely mounted to a gear 126, the gear 126 preferably being mounted within body 112 by a pin 123, although it may be above or below body 112. Again, each gear 126 does not directly engage any other gear 126.
  • Each gear 126 may be a 360° gear, or may 7 be only a segment of a gear.
  • Each gear 126 is mounted within body 112 by a pin
  • central gear 128 Also mounted within body 112 by an axle 130 is a central gear 128.
  • central gear 128 may be located within, above or below body 112.
  • Central gear 128 directly engages both of the gears 126 of the front pair 118 of wheels 116. Therefore, movement of one wheel 116 of one of the front pair 118 of wheels 116 will cause axle 122 to rotate thus rotating the relevant gear 126. That will cause central gear 128 to rotate. Therefore, the other gear 126 of the other wheel 116 of the front pair 118 will also rotate.
  • the rotation of the two front gears 126 will be in the same rotational direction and thus each wheel 116 of the front pair 118 of wheels 116 will point in the same direction. If the two front gears 126 are substantially identical, wheels 116 of the front pair 118 will both point in the same direction at the same angle.
  • the gears 126 engage with central gear 128 by means of intermediate gears 132, also rotatably mounted in, on or above body 112 by means of axle 124. Therefore, rotation of central gear 128 will cause intermediate gears 132 to rotate and this will cause the gears 126 of the rear pair 120 of wheels 116 to rotate in the opposite direction to the gears 126 of the front pair 118 of wheels 116. Therefore, upon central gear 128 rotating, the gears 126 at the rear pair 120 of wheels 116 will rotate in the opposite direction to the gears 126 of the front pair 118 of wheels 116. In that way, the rear pair 120 of wheels 116 will move together in the direction opposite to the front pair 118 of wheels 116. Therefore, if front pair 118 of wheels 116 turn to the left, the rear pair 120 of wheels 116 will turn to the right.
  • gears 126 be identical such that the extent of angular rotation of both the front pair 118 of wheels 116 and the rear pair 120 of wheels 116 will be the same. However, it may be preferred for the gears 126 with the rear pair 120 of wheels 116 to be different to the gears 126 of the front pair 118 of wheels 8
  • wheels 116 may be more of the conventional wheel and therefore may be of somewhat larger diameter. This means that the angular movement will be restricted as wheels 116 will tend to contact body 120 at larger degrees of angular movement of wheels 116 as they are located beside body 112. For that reason, gears 126, 132 and 128 may be segments of a gear. In this instance, gear 128 would have either two or four segments. This would be sufficient to enable the maximum amount of movement of wheels 116 relative to body 112.
  • a centralising device 136 is provided. This may be in accordance with our earlier patent application number PP0590, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Alternatively, it may be a substantially "H" device 137, with a projection 139 on central gear 128 locating within the H. Rotation of central gear 128 causes projection to contact the H device 137 thus causing it to move about its mounting. A spring 141 is provided to bias the H device 137, and thus projection 139 and therefore central gear 128, to the central position shown.
  • the vehicle generally designated 210 has a body 212. There are four wheels 216 arranged as a front pair 218 and a rear pair 220, as in the embodiment for Figure 1. 9
  • the body 212 is generally the same as for a supermarket trolley and thus is intended to be able to stack.
  • the wheels 216 are therefore castor wheels, although as is clear from the previous description any form of wheel may be used. Again, each of the wheels 216 is mounted on an axle 222 to which is mounted a gear 226. It is preferred that the gears 226 be identical so that the degree of angular change will be constant.
  • Operatively connecting the gears 226 is a continuous chain or drive belt 238. If a drive belt 238, it would be a toothed belt on both sides. Preferably, at least one, although two are illustrated, idler sprockets 240 are used so as to maintain continuity of the chain or belt 238. The idler sprockets 240 would be rotatably mounted within body 212.
  • a spring tensioning device 242 would be provided between the sprockets 240 so as to maintain the chain or belt 238 under constant tension. As chains or belts such as that of 238 have a tendency to stretch, or vary in length according to temperature, the spring tensioning device 242 will maintain constancy of contact between the chain or belt 238 with gears 226.
  • rollers may be used with there being frictional engagement under an applied force, such as by a spring.
  • gears 216 of the rear pair 220 may operatively engage the idler sprockets 240 rather than be driven by the chain or belt 238.
  • a vehicle 310 with a body 312.
  • a handle 314 is provided to enable the vehicle 310 to be moved and steered.
  • the body 312 has four wheels 316, all substantially identical, although this is not of necessity always so.
  • the wheels 316 are arranged as a front pair 318 of wheels 316, and a rear pair 320 of wheels 316.
  • Each wheel 316 is mounted to the body 312 of vehicle 310 by means of a substantially horizontal axle 322, each axle 322 being separate.
  • Each wheel 316 is directly attached to its axle 322 with each axle 322 having an integral pivot member 325 pivotally attached to body 312 by pivot 327.
  • Gear 326 of the rear pair 320 of wheels 316 directly engages a gear 326 of the front pair 318 of wheels 316.
  • Each gear 326 may be a 360° gear, or may be only a segment of a gear, as shown. 11
  • the arrangement for the front pair 318 of wheels 316 is the mirror image of that for the rear pair 320 of wheels 316. Therefore, if a front wheel turns to the right, the corresponding rear wheel will turn to the left.
  • pivot member 325 for the front pair 318 of wheels 316 has a front portion 331 which has at its end a further gear segment 333 engaging an idler gear 335.
  • Figure 6 is essentially the same as for Figure 5, except that full gears 426 are used, and pivot members 425 are shortened and are the same at the front and rear. This enables the wheels 416 to turn through 360°, if required. Wheels 416 can be mounted below body 412, as shown.
  • Figure 7 is effectively a combination of the features of Figures 5 and 6 with gears 526, and pivot members 525. In essence, its operation is the same as that of Figure 5. However, if full 360°, wheels 516 can rotate through 360°, if desired.
  • the rear pair may have a ratio different to that of the front pair so that the degree of change of angle of the rear pair of wheels will be different to that of the front pair of wheels.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Handcart (AREA)
  • Steering-Linkage Mechanisms And Four-Wheel Steering (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)

Abstract

Véhicule (10) possédant plusieurs roues (16) espacées les unes des autres et fixes chacune audit véhicule (10) au moyen d'un essieu (22) séparé pour chaque roue et ayant un axe longitudinal. Ledit dispositif est conçu de sorte que la rotation d'un axe (22) autour de son axe longitudinal entraîne le changement de direction de la roue (16) par rapport au véhicule (10), à chaque axe (22) étant fixé un moyen mené (26) entraîné par un moyen d'entraînement (28, 32), de sorte que la rotation d'un axe (22) induise la rotation de tous les autres axes (22) autour de leur axe longitudinal.
EP99907189A 1998-02-26 1999-02-23 Systeme de direction Withdrawn EP1056636A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPP1990A AUPP199098A0 (en) 1998-02-26 1998-02-26 Steering system
AUPP199098 1998-02-26
PCT/AU1999/000106 WO1999043531A1 (fr) 1998-02-26 1999-02-23 Systeme de direction

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1056636A1 true EP1056636A1 (fr) 2000-12-06
EP1056636A4 EP1056636A4 (fr) 2004-10-06

Family

ID=3806257

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99907189A Withdrawn EP1056636A4 (fr) 1998-02-26 1999-02-23 Systeme de direction

Country Status (10)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1056636A4 (fr)
JP (1) JP2002504460A (fr)
CN (1) CN1139509C (fr)
AR (1) AR014660A1 (fr)
AU (1) AUPP199098A0 (fr)
CA (1) CA2322274A1 (fr)
NZ (1) NZ505931A (fr)
TW (1) TW421629B (fr)
WO (1) WO1999043531A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA991513B (fr)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AUPQ882000A0 (en) * 2000-07-17 2000-08-10 Igc (Australia) Pty Ltd Improvements in moveable load-carrying assemblies
US6874800B2 (en) * 2001-09-05 2005-04-05 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Hospital bed wheel linkage apparatus
CN104210545A (zh) * 2014-08-29 2014-12-17 东北大学 一种新型全向移动平台
ES2733589T3 (es) 2015-03-10 2019-12-02 Tellure Rota Spa Carro de transporte con ruedas de dirección
CN108099971B (zh) * 2017-11-27 2020-06-02 海安吉德机电技术开发有限公司 一种建材输送推车
CN108502051B (zh) * 2018-03-23 2019-02-15 湖南德莱博智能装备有限公司 智能agv搬运机器人
CN109809164B (zh) * 2019-01-24 2020-09-08 金溪县安卓物流有限公司 一种分拣线用物流托运装置
CN115742705A (zh) * 2022-11-17 2023-03-07 安歌智慧科技(上海)有限公司 一种agv小车
CN117450885B (zh) * 2023-12-26 2024-04-26 泰州市勤峰物资有限公司 一种自行车链条长度测试装置

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3039947A1 (de) * 1980-10-23 1982-06-03 Heinz F. Dittmer Werkzeug- und Maschinenbau, 2805 Stuhr Handbewegter werkstattwagen
DE3514638A1 (de) * 1985-02-15 1986-10-30 Argus-Film GmbH, 8000 München Vierraedriger wagen mit einem wagenkoerper, insbesondere von hand zu schiebender filmkamerawagen
US5322140A (en) * 1992-02-03 1994-06-21 Amigo Mobility International, Inc. Steering systems for four-wheeled carts
CA2215841A1 (fr) * 1995-03-22 1996-09-26 Alaister Copland Chariot dirigeable
DE19514092A1 (de) * 1995-04-13 1996-10-17 Movietechn Filmgeraete Gmbh & Stützradanordnung für einen Kamera- oder Kamerakranwagen

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
No further relevant documents disclosed *
See also references of WO9943531A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1291951A (zh) 2001-04-18
NZ505931A (en) 2002-09-27
TW421629B (en) 2001-02-11
AUPP199098A0 (en) 1998-03-19
WO1999043531A1 (fr) 1999-09-02
CN1139509C (zh) 2004-02-25
JP2002504460A (ja) 2002-02-12
AR014660A1 (es) 2001-03-28
CA2322274A1 (fr) 1999-09-02
HK1034942A1 (en) 2001-11-09
EP1056636A4 (fr) 2004-10-06
ZA991513B (en) 1999-08-26

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