US 12,134,428 B2
Lift steering systems and methods
Derek Williams, Oshkosh, WI (US); Jihong Hao, Greencastle, PA (US); Prabhu Shankar, Oshkosh, WI (US); and Devin Rosencrance, Oshkosh, WI (US)
Assigned to Oshkosh Corporation, Oshkosh, WI (US)
Filed by Oshkosh Corporation, Oshkosh, WI (US)
Filed on Mar. 2, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/116,724.
Application 18/116,724 is a continuation of application No. 16/811,151, filed on Mar. 6, 2020, granted, now 11,691,662.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/830,176, filed on Apr. 5, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0202552 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B62D 5/04 (2006.01); B62D 7/18 (2006.01); B62D 7/20 (2006.01); B66F 11/04 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 5/0421 (2013.01) [B62D 7/18 (2013.01); B62D 7/20 (2013.01); B66F 11/042 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A steering system, comprising:
a first wheel and a second wheel laterally spaced apart from the first wheel, wherein the first wheel and the second wheel define a travel direction, the first wheel being rotatably coupled to a first knuckle and the second wheel being rotatably coupled to a second knuckle;
a third wheel and a fourth wheel laterally spaced apart from the third wheel, wherein the third wheel and the fourth wheel are both pivotally fixed in a forward-aligned orientation,
a first tie rod having a first end pivotally coupled to the first knuckle and a second end pivotally coupled to a mechanical linkage;
a second tie rod having a first end pivotally coupled to the second knuckle and a second end pivotally coupled to the mechanical linkage, wherein the mechanical linkage includes a drag link, wherein the drag link is defined by a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the drag link, the first end of the drag link supporting a first pin coupling securing the first tie rod to the drag link, the second end of the drag link supporting a second pin coupling securing the second tie rod to the drag link; and
an electrical actuator coupled to the mechanical linkage, wherein the mechanical linkage is arranged in front of the electrical actuator relative to the travel direction, wherein the electrical actuator is a linear actuator having a housing and a motor-driven piston movable relative to the housing, the motor-driven piston being movable about a first axis, and wherein the electrical actuator is pivotally coupled to the drag link, the drag link being configured to move, in response to movement of the motor-driven piston relative to the housing, about a second axis offset from the first axis, and wherein the first axis and the second axis extend parallel to one another.