Steering of the second front axle in Volvo trucks

Abstract: Every few years, modern heavy-duty vehicles get redesigned and can carry more cargo than previously known. Increasing the amount of cargo means increasing the weight, which then leads to more pressure on the engineers to design improved vehicle frames and axles to distribute this load. A recent addition is a second front axle. This axle has been steered with a mechanical link since its introduction, but due to recent law changes, the possibility to steer this axle with an electro-hydraulic system is now available. The purpose of the project is just that, to create an electro-hydraulic steering system, it can be known as steer-by-wire (SBW). Through meetings with lead engineers at Volvo GTT, the first draft of some Concepts could be achieved. The Concepts consisted of a CAD design of the steering, complemented by hydraulic steering. By reusing existing parts in the new design, a similar steering capability was achieved. But having a SBW-system that can attach directly to the new axle, that is not restricted to a connection with the first axle enables so many options, and now, the sky is the limit. The weight is reduced, fuel and energy consumption is reduced, but maybe most important of all. The flexibility of this system is increased, enabling options to have independent steering from the first axle and even changing the placement of the axle on the frame itself. A system like this can have a significant impact on the environmental effects of trucks, as it can reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Thanks to the increase in cargo capacity.