System Design

System Design




The system is comprised of two sub-systems, a front steering gearbox for the front wheels, and a rear steering gearbox for the rear wheels. These two sub-systems are mechanically linked by a center shaft. When the driver turns the steering wheel, the rack and pinion in the front steering gearbox moves the rack in the axial direction. The rack steers the front wheels, and simultaneously rotates an output pinion shaft via another rack and pinion in the gearbox. This output pinion shaft transmits the turning angle of the steering wheel to the rear steering gearbox via the center shaft A stroke rod in the rear steering gearbox moves in the axial direction to steer the rear wheels via the tie rods.

Within a maximum steering wheel angle of about 127 degrees from the neutral (straight-ahead) position, the rear wheels are turned in the same direction as the front. The rear steering gearbox incorporates a mechanism, which reverses the direction the rear wheels are turned gradually and smoothly when the steering wheel is turned past 127 degrees.