GB2435021A

GB2435021A - Vehicle steering joint

Info

Publication number: GB2435021A
Application number: GB0602789A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Richard Shotter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-02-11
Filing date: 2006-02-11
Publication date: 2007-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 2026-02-11
Also published as: GB2435021B; GB0602789D0

Abstract

A steering joint with two unrestricted rotational movements whose axes are perpendicular to each other. This steering joint is to substitute ball and socket joints where the joint's limited angular movement and/or high friction is detrimental to the application. The invention comprises a first housing 1 for a first bearing 3, a shaft 2 which is typically integral with the first housing 1, being fitted into a bore of a second bearing (7 see fig 5). The second bearing (7) is housed in a second housing 5 which has means for attachment to an application. Attachment is also provided via the bore of the first bearing 3. The perpendicular axis may intersect or may be offset to accommodate a feature adjacent to the joint. The invention may be attached to a track rod of a steering mechanism.

Description

VEHICLE STEERING JOINT

This invention relates to the ball and socket types of vehicle steering joints.

Ball and socket joints such as track-rod-ends are well established in vehicle design.

However, such joints have limited angular movement in relation to the longitudinal axis of the ball's supporting shaft or stem. Consequently, where applications require a greater angular movement these joints are inadequate.

Ball and socket joints also generate a lot of friction due to the large contact area between the ball and socket. Consequently, when applied to vehicles with substantially direct steering, such as those with handlebars, the friction acts as a damper against the feel of the steered wheel/s interacting with the ground, to the detriment of safety.

The angular movement of ball and socket joints could be increased by enlarging the diameter of the ball in relation to the diameter of the ball's supporting shaft or stem.

However, this would further increase the friction between the ball and socket.

Furthermore, the angular movement will always be restricted by the ball's supporting shaft or stem.

An object of the invention is to provide a steering joint for applications requiring a larger angular movement than can be provided by a ball and socket joint, with or without minimal friction.

According to the present invention there is provided a steering joint comprising a first housing for a first bearing, the first housing having an integral external shaft who's axis is perpendicular to the first bearing's rotational axis, the shaft is fitted into the bore of a second bearing, the second bearing is housed in a second housing, the second housing has means to attach to the application, the first bearing is attached to the application via its bore.

Preferably the shaft is integral with the housing, however the shaft can be separate to the housing.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrams; Figure 1 shows two views of the first housing, the first view shows the first bearing; Figure 2 shows figure 1 with added lines to indicate the perpendicular axes; Figure 3 shows figure 2 with the second housing fitted to the shaft; Figure 4 shows an offset shaft as a development of figure 2; Figure 5 shows figure 4 with the second housing fitted to the offset shaft; Figure 6 shows the invention with integral housings, with a separate shaft and added lines to indicate the perpendicular axes.

In figure 2, the housing 1 has an integral external shall 2. Fitted into housing 1 is bearing 3 that has a single axis of rotation. Bearing 3 locates to the application via bore 4. Central to bearing 3's circumference is rotational axis I about which bearing 3 rotates. Central to shaft's 2 circumference is rotational axis 2. Axis 1 and axis 2 perpendicularly intersect at the mid-length of bearing 3. Housing 1 has unrestricted rotational movement about axis 1.

In figure 3, shaft 2 is fitted to housing 5 via the bore of bearing 7 (bearing 7 is shown in figure 5). Housing 5, in this instance, is the same as housing I but the housings can be different shapes to that shown or to each other. Housing 5 has unrestricted rotational movement about axis 2.

Therefore, the invention provides unrestricted rotational movement for two axes of rotation that are perpendicular to each other.

With axis 1 and axis 2 perpendicularly intersecting at bearing 3's mid-length permits housing I to have a spherical bearing. This would prevent any under-load distortion of the application being transferred through the invention to the limit of the spherical bearing's angular movement. A spherical roller bearing could be used where low friction is a priority.

In figure 4, shaft 12 is offset from housing 11 and from bearing 3's mid-length. In figure 5, housing 5 is fitted to shaft 12 via bearing 7. Housing 5 has means to attach to the application, in this case by shaft 6. As in figure 2, axis 1 and axis 2 in figure 5 are perpendicular to each other and provide unrestricted rotational movement for housing 11 and housing 5 respectively. The offset shaft 12 may be necessary to provide clearance for the application.

The inclusion of a spherical bearing in figure 5 would prevent movement from being accurately transferred through the invention. Therefore, figure 5 is limited to bearings with a single axis of rotation.

In figure 6 all of the above aspects and offset variations apply except that housing 21 and 15 are integral and would use a separate shaft 8. Shaft 8 would be fitted to bearing 7 and then bearing 7 would be fitted to housing 15, unless housing 15 and housing 21 were sufficiently offset to provide fitting clearance for the head of shaft 8. a

Claims

CLAIMS

I. A steering joint comprising a first housing for a first bearing, the first housing having an integral external shaft who's axis is perpendicular to the first bearing's rotational axis, the shaft is fitted into the bore of a second bearing, the second bearing is housed in a second housing, the second housing has means to attach to the application, the first bearing is attached to the application via its bore.

2. A steering joint according to claim I where the perpendicular axes do not intersect.

3. A steering joint according to claim I where the perpendicular axes intersect.

4. A steering joint according to claim I where the perpendicular axes intersect at the first bearing's mid-length.

5. A steering joint according to the preceding claims where the two housings are integral with each other and the shaft is separate.

6. Steering joint according to the preceding claims where each bearing has one axis of rotation.

7. A steering joint according to claims 1, 3, and 4 where the two housings are integral with each other and the shaft is separate and where the first bearing is of a spherical type.

8. A steering joint substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.