Self-steering Twin Axles
Page 78
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AN arrangement shown in patent No. 885,615 enables a pair of tandem axles to set themselves at the most suitable angle when the vehicle is rounding a curve. Though such schemes have been tried before, they are prone to set up oscillations, and the present layout is claimed to eliminate these. (DaimlerBenz A.G., Stuttgart Unterttirkheim, Germany.) Referring to the drawing, each axle is provided with a Y-shaped extension (1 and 2) which enables them to swing about ball-joints (3 and 4). This permits them to take tip a suitable angle when corner
ing, as shown in chain lines.
Sideways-acting leaf springs (5) pivoted on pins (6) ensure equality of angle between the two axles and the frame. To bias the axles towards the straight-ahead position, a centralizing spring unit (7) is provided, with a damper unit alongside. The spring unit is attached at one end to the Y-frame and at the other to the chassis. The spring and damper May be combined in one assembly. The unit shown at (8) is a pneuma cally operated locking device. This be used by the driver when it is desired hold the two axles in the pa rail position.