GB813782A - Improvements in and relating to motor-vehicle steering mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

813,782. Steering motor vehicles. FERGUSON RESEARCH Ltd., H. Aug. 17, 1955 [Aug. 25, 1954], No. 24694/54. Classes 79(2) and 79(5) [Also in Group XXXII] The invention relates to motor-vehicle steering mechanism comprising steering arms 64 pivotally connected to transverse push-pull links 63, and a rack 80 meshing with a toothed pinion 78 connected to a steering column 70, movement of the rack 80 due to turning of the column 70 acting through the links 63 (only one shown) to produce a push on one steering arm 64 and a pull on the other (not shown). According to the invention, each front wheel is independently sprung by respective swing- ing links 58, the rack-and-pinion mechanism is offset to one side of the chassis frame in front of the axle assembly and swinging links 58 at that side and a transverse connector 92 inter-connects both links 63 and is connected to the rack 80, the arrangement being such that the pivotal connections of the link 63 at each side of the vehicle are in parallelogramic relationship with the inner and outer pivotal connections (29, 36a) of the link 58. As shown, each differential output shaft 18 is connected via a universal joint 26, and intermediate shaft 30, and a constantvelocity type universal joint 45 to the stub shaft 44 of the wheel hub. The joint 45 is surrounded by a ball-joint housing comprising a part 36 on which the road wheel is journalled and with which is rigid a kingpin 48, the housing also includes a part 32 which is rigid with a housing part 30a for the shaft 30 and this in turn is rigid with the wishbone type suspension link 58 jourrialled on the chasis-frame 10 .at 59, 59. The axis of the bearings 59 is in alignment with the pivotal axis 29 of the universal joint 26. The suspension linkage is completed by links 49, and 51, pivotally interconnected to each other and to a shackle 50, the other end of which is pivotally connected at 52a to the housing 30a. The other end of the link 49 is pivotally connected to the lower end of the kingpin 48, and the other end of the link 51 is pivotally connected to the chassis-frame at 51a. The rack-and-pinion mechanism is mounted in a lubricant-containing housing 74 having an extension 76 in a flanged connection at 77 with the chassis-frame. The outer end of the rack is enclosed in a bellows 86. The rack 80 is downwardly urged into engagement with the pinion 78 by means of a spring 84. The rack 80 at its inner end extends into a housing 94 formed by an ovel shaped tubular frame member 94 (see Figs. 2 and 3). The housing extension 76 is continued a short way into the housing 94 and terminates in a bearing (not shown) for the rack 80. The inner end of the rack 80 is connected by a rubber bush mounting to a member 98 which is rigidly connected to the midpoint of the transverse connector 92. The latter is mounted for sliding movement relative to the housing 94 in self-lubricating bearings 96, 96. Each end of the connector 92 is joined by a ball-and-socket joint 100 to the inner end of the respective link 63. A flexible bellows 102 is connected between a point 104 on the link 63 and the chassis frame to enclose the outer respective end of the connector 92. Movement of the steering gear in each direction, is limited by adjustable stop screws 108 in each end of the housing 94 (one only visible in Fig. 1) adapted to engage the member 98. Specification 775,086 is referred to.