Steering

[g_murray]

So im thinking of a differant way to do steering other then Rack and Pinion. i want the steering column to be up right, im thinking about putting a sprocket on the steering column and using a chain to do my steering. Here is a rough scetch of what im thinking about, let me know if you have any better ideas, perferably done with chain, but any other ideas let me know. This drawing is only the steering, if i added in the frame it gets a bit to cluttered to understand.

[/IMG]

 

[dan]

cant see y it wont work but mybe u would have to have a cover over the chain lol

 

[Orange Krate]

I've had that idea before. I was daydreaming of a front mounted sled engine(think mini '32 Ford ot T-bucket.) With no where to run the column I would follow a design similar to yours. Only, I had it pictured with a short chain, only at the steering wheel, connected to cable, turning corners with pulleys. The cable would then tie off to turnbuckles for adjusting the alignment.

 

[EagleTalons]

Wouldn't this only pull one wheel in?

 

[dan]

yes u would need a tie rod between the 2 steering arms.

 

[anderkart]

Yep but how would we get some Ackerman with this system?

 

[bajagokart]

this would nly pull one wheel because the other doesnt have the tension to "push" it out! clever idea but your going to have to think of a different idea to make this work

 

[TurtleMann14]

i would just put the chain on the tie rod...

and if you have the chain at any length you are going to need something for it to rest on so it doesn't fall off the sprockets

 

[chetcpo]

Yep but how would we get some Ackerman with this system?

Ackerman is determined by the angle of the steering arms come off the spindle, it doesn't really matter what type of mechanism steers it.

I think it's pretty clever, but looks to me to have the potential to be more than a little dangerous. I'd hate to hit a rough stretch of road and have the chain come off at speed leaving you with no steering.

 

[freakboy]

http://www.qrz.com/hampages/u/e/dj4eu/Heinz-DJ4EU_Steam_Tractor_1.jpg

they did that type of steering on steam tractors... and if you ever rode one of them for any extended amounts of time going at top speed which is slow you can tell its sketchy...

 

[modelengineer]

You could get ackerman, but it would be next to impossible to get some castor in the system. That, and the fact that if the chain breaks/comes off the sprockets then you have no control over the kart. And the steering wheel will be at a really weird angle, like driving a bus.

Why can't you use bell crank steering?

 

[TurtleMann14]

he probably wants full turn steering ratios

trim down a rack from a car (non power steering)

 

[slideways]

If you got onto a rough stretch the wheels could move in and out independently and make one hell of a wobble. This would unload the chain and kick it off. Possibly the chain could catch at a point where you would have extreme toe in/out and that will create havoc too.

 

[g_murray]

Opps, I forgot draw in the tie rod between the steering arms, and forgot to mention the chain tensioners. I probably also should have mentioned its a pedal kart, its acually more of a kart I'm making for an event called Burning Man, so its built for slow speeds anyways.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

With the tensioners and tie rod it might be okay for a pedal kart. If you had suspension, that would probably lead to some freaky bump-steer at speed, but it probably doesn't apply in this case, it sounds like you're building something very purpose-specific. Care to elaborate on your plans?
PS- Looking at your drawing, I think it would be beneficial to move those two sprockets rearward so as to have the chain pulling perpendicular to the steering arms...

 

[modelengineer]

You could make it simpler with just one sprocket if you change the angle of the steering arms.

 

[g_murray]

im building a 4 wheeled kart with this steering mechnism, and a 3 wheeled kart, the three wheeled kart will be build first, its acually more of an upright tadpole bike (two wheels in front one in back), and the 4 wheeled is an acual kart. ill post some rough scetches asap for both. and thanks, that makes more sence pulling the two front pullys back. i also have another steering idea(below)

[/IMG]

 

[freakboy]

i really dont see the advantage of this over the normal style kart stearing.

 

[g_murray]

there isnt one, its more for the looks, and for the fun of doing something differant

 

[freakboy]

oh ok well if you do go with this best of luck to ya to make it reliable and safe!