Application of the Noncircular Gears in the Multi-Wheeled Steering Mechanism

摘要

When a vehicle is turning, a specific mechanism called steering system controls the motion. This paper proposed a new multi-wheeled steering mechanism by applying the noncircular gears. A tri-wheeled steering mechanism was illustrated as an example. The proposed steering mechanism can have smaller turning radius and satisfy the Ackermann steering principle. When vehicle turns, the relationship of the steering angles of wheels is nonlinear. It can be derived by Ackermann steering principle, and be applied to derive the rotation relation function of the meshing noncircular gears. The pitch curves of non-circular gears are then investigated by the principle of synthesis of non-circular gears, and the tooth profiles are developed based on the theory of gearing.