GB2462852A - Rotatable steering wheel assembly - Google Patents
Rotatable steering wheel assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2462852A GB2462852A GB0815324A GB0815324A GB2462852A GB 2462852 A GB2462852 A GB 2462852A GB 0815324 A GB0815324 A GB 0815324A GB 0815324 A GB0815324 A GB 0815324A GB 2462852 A GB2462852 A GB 2462852A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- support body
- driver
- steering wheel
- seat
- cab
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
- B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
- B62D1/16—Steering columns
- B62D1/18—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
- B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
- B62D1/16—Steering columns
- B62D1/18—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable
- B62D1/187—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable with tilt adjustment; with tilt and axial adjustment
- B62D1/189—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable with tilt adjustment; with tilt and axial adjustment the entire column being tiltable as a unit
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N3/00—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for
- B60N3/001—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of tables or trays
- B60N3/002—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of tables or trays of trays
- B60N3/005—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of tables or trays of trays mounted on the steering wheel
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D49/00—Tractors
- B62D49/06—Tractors adapted for multi-purpose use
- B62D49/0692—Tractors adapted for multi-purpose use characterised by the particular arrangement of control devices, e.g. having more than one control stand, operable from vehicle extension (control devices or systems characterised by mechanical features only)
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
A utility vehicle 10 comprising a cab 12 which houses a steering wheel assembly 20 comprising a steering wheel 22 rotatably mounted to a support body 24 which is mounted on one transversely facing side to a fixture of the cab. The support body 24 may also be mounted to an armrest assembly 40 at the side of the driver's seat 18, which may be mounted on a rotatable platform 50 on the cab floor 30. The armrest assembly 40 may comprise a console having a user interface and the support body 24 may be mounted to the console unit located to one side of the driver's seat 18. The armrest assembly 40 may comprise a longitudinally extending member affixed to the driver's seat at its rearward end and a transversely extending member serving to mount the support body 24 to the forward end of the longitudinally extending member. The steering wheel 22 may be mounted to a face of the support body 24 which serves as a dashboard with a display. The assembly 20 provides an asymmetric mounting arrangement for the steering console, leaving the space underneath clear of any supporting structure and providing improved legroom for the driver.
Description
DESCRIPTION
UTILITY VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY
The invention relates to a steering wheel assembly fitted within the cab of a utility vehicle such as an agricultural tractor.
Traditionally, steering wheels are mounted to a console located centrally in front of a driver's seat in a utility vehicle. The mechanical connections between the rotatable steering wheel and the steering mechanism typically comprises a steering column which extends through the console and into the region under the bonnet andlor under the floor of the cab.
It is an object of the invention to provide a utility vehicle having increased leg room for the driver.
According to the invention there is provided a utility vehicle comprising a cab which houses a steering wheel assembly having a steering wheel rotatably mounted to a support body which is mounted on one transversely facing side to a fixture of the cab. By supporting the support body, or console, at one side in an asymmetric manner, the floor space directly in front of the driver is left clear of any support structure thus increasing the leg room and improving the comfort for the driver.
In a preferred embodiment, the support body is mounted to an armrest assembly located and affixed to one side of a driver's seat. The armrest assembly may for example comprise a longitudinally extending member affixed to the driver's seat at its rearward end, and a transversely extending member serving to mount the support body to the forward end of the longitudinally extending member.
In this manner, the steering wheel assembly is connected to the seat to form a unitary seatisteering assembly. This lends itself well to a rotatable seat arrangement in which the seat is mounted on a rotatable platform on a cab floor. In forestry and digger applications for example, the cab is traditionally provided with two steering wheels; one forward facing unit and one rearward facing unit, wherein the seat is rotatable between the two positions. By providing a unitary assembly, only one steering wheel assembly is required which can be used for both forward-facing and rearward-facing applications.
The armrest assembly may comprise a consol having at least one user interface such as a joystick controller and/or hydraulic spool levers thus exploiting the availably surface provided by the armrest.
Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of specific embodiments with reference to the appended drawings in which:-Figure I is a perspective view of a tractor; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a the left hand side of the steering assembly and driver's seat of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the right hand side of the steering assembly of Figure 1 shown in a steering position; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the steering assembly of Figure 1 shown in an intermediate position; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the steering assembly of Figure 1 shown in a table position; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the steering assembly of Figure 1 shown in the tahle position and with a driver sitting on a driver's seat; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a steering assembly and driver's seat in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of a steering assembly and driver's seat in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.
With reference to Figure 1 a tractor 10 which includes a steering wheel assembly 20. The tractor 10 comprises a cab 12, a pair of rear wheels 14 and a pair of steerable front wheels 16.
In addition to the steering wheel assembly 20 the cab 12 also houses a driver's seat IS from which the driver operates the vehicle.
With reference to Figures 2 and 3 the steering wheel assembly 20 comprises a steering wheel 22 rotatably mounted to a support body 24. The rotation of the steering wheel 22 is sensed by electronic sensing means (not shown) which serves to translate the rotational motion of the steering wheel into an electrical signal which is communicated to a steering control unit located elsewhere on the tractor 10. This electrical signal is then interpreted and translated into movement of the steerable front wheels 1 6.
The steering assembly 20 further comprises a pillar 26 which is fixed to the cab floor 30. At its upper end the pillar 26 is fixed to a side face 27 of the support body 24. The support body 24 and pillar 26 are mounted together so as to allow rotation of the support body 24 about an axis X which is substantially transverse to the forward direction of the tractor 10. The rotatable fixing employs known technology such as a simple shaft rotatable and held in place within a bore for example, The support body is therefore rotatable between a first position suitable for steering the vehicle as shown in Figures 2 and 3, through an intermediate position (Figure 4) to a position in which the underside 28 of the support body 24 is upward facing so as to provide a table as shown in Figure 5 and 6. The support body 24 is locked in the steering posilion of Figure 3 and the table position of Figure 5 by releasable locking means (not shown).
By exploiting the underside of the support body 24 to provide a table an extra surface is provided for a driver 35 to rest his lunch upon for example (Figure 6).
It wilt be appreciated that a safety mechanism is included to prevent movement or even starting of the tractor 10 when the support body 24 is not in the steering position. Therefore it is envisaged that the releasable locking means to move the support body away from the steering position may include an electrically activate solenoid for example which prevents such unlocking when the vehicle is in motion.
In an alternative arrangement which is not illustrated in the drawings the pillar 26 comprises an upper fork portion having two branches, one to the left and one to the right. The support body 24 is mounted at respective mounting points located on the side faces thereof and connected to the branches of the pillar structure. Advantageously this provides a more sturdy structure in which the support body 24 is held in place by two mounting points.
In a first embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 7 the support body 24 is mounted to an arm rest assembly 40 located and affixed to the right hand side of driver's seat 18. hi a similar manner to above the support body is rotatably mounted to the forward end of the arm rest assembly 40 so as to provide a steering position (as shown in the drawing) and a table position. In the absence of a pillar structure this arrangement in accordance with the invention advantageously provides increased leg room for a driver.
In a second embodiment as shown in Figure 8 the support body 24 is again mounted to a forward end of an arm rest 40 by a transversely extending connecting member 42 about which the support body is rotatable. The arm rest assembly 40 comprises a console having a joystick 44 which exploits the available surface area provided by the arm rest assembly 40.
However, it will be appreciated that the armrest could accommodate many more user interface devices such as levers and buttons for example.
The driver's seat 18 is mounted on a rotatable platform 50 which is fixed to the cab floor 30.
The provision of the steering wheel assembly being mounted to the ann rest 40 in combination with a rotating platform 50 delivers a unitary driver's station which can rotate potentially through 360°. Advantageously this removes the need for multiple steering wheel assemblies located at the forward and rearward ends of the cab as provided in known forestry tractors. Furthermore the rotating platform can be provided with pedals 52 for the control of the vehicle wherein such pedals rotate with the driver's station.
Although the invention has been described above in relation to a tractor it is envisaged that the steering assembly can instead be implemented on any utility vehicle without deviating from the scope of the invention.
The above-described embodiments comprise a support body 24 that is rotatably mounted on an armrest 40. However, it should be understood that the support body (or steering console) 24 can be rigidly attached, that is without rotation.
The support body 24 can alternatively be attached to a console or frame part located to one side of the longitudinal axis of the tractor, which is independent of the driver's seat without deviating from the scope of the invention. It should be appreciated that such an arrangement still benefits from increased legroom for a driver whilst allowing increased design freedom for the armrest.
Furthermore it should be understood that any electrical connections to the steering wheel sensor and any display element located on the dashboard 24 can be routed through the armrest to the necessary electronic control means for example.
In summary, there is provided a utility vehicle comprising a cab which houses a steering wheel assembly wherein a steering wheeL is rotatably mounted to a support body. The support body. or steering console, is mounted on one transversely facing side to a fixture of the cab such as an armrest of control console positioned to one side of a driver's seat. By providing an asymmetric mounting arrangement for the steering console, the space underneath is left clear of any supporting structure thus providing improved legroom for the driver.
From reading the present disclosure, other modification will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, Such modifications may involve other features which are already known in the field of steering assemblies and component parts therefore and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.
Claims (8)
- CLAIMS1. A utility vehicle comprising a cab which houses a steering wheel assembly having a steering wheel rotatahly mounted to a support body which is mounted on one transversely facing side to a fixture of the cab.
- 2. A utility vehicle according to Claim 1, wherein the support body is mounted to an armrest assembly located and affixed to one side of a driver's seat.
- 3. A utility vehicle according to Claim 2, wherein the armrest assembly comprises a consol having at least one user interface.
- 4. A utility vehicle according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the driver's seat is mounted on a rotatable platform on a cab floor.
- 5. A utility vehicle according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the armrest assembly comprises a longitudinally extending member affixed to the driver's seat at its rearward end, and a transversely extending member serving to mount the support body to the forward end of the longitudinally extending member.
- 6. A utility vehicle according to Claim 1, wherein the support body is mounted to an console unit located to one side of a driver's seat.
- 7. A utility vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the steering wheel is mounted to a face of the support body which serves as a dashboard having at least one display element.
- 8. A steering wheel assembly constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in accompanying Figures 7 and 8.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0815324A GB2462852A (en) | 2008-08-22 | 2008-08-22 | Rotatable steering wheel assembly |
PCT/IB2009/006425 WO2010020849A1 (en) | 2008-08-22 | 2009-08-03 | Utility vehicle steering wheel assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0815324A GB2462852A (en) | 2008-08-22 | 2008-08-22 | Rotatable steering wheel assembly |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB0815324D0 GB0815324D0 (en) | 2008-10-01 |
GB2462852A true GB2462852A (en) | 2010-02-24 |
Family
ID=39846675
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB0815324A Withdrawn GB2462852A (en) | 2008-08-22 | 2008-08-22 | Rotatable steering wheel assembly |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2462852A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2010020849A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
BR102018015638B1 (en) | 2018-07-31 | 2022-11-08 | Cnh Industrial Brasil Ltda | SUPPORT FOR STEERING WHEEL OF A VEHICLE AND VEHICLE FOR RURAL USE OR IN CIVIL CONSTRUCTION |
CN111289259B (en) * | 2018-12-07 | 2023-08-08 | 南京农业大学 | Steering wheel test stand convenient for automatic adjustment of agricultural equipment cab |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
SU537879A1 (en) * | 1975-06-06 | 1976-12-05 | Всесоюзный научно-исследовательский институт строительного и дорожного машиностроения | Steering column vehicle |
DE3015408A1 (en) * | 1980-04-22 | 1981-10-29 | Alfons 7774 Deggenhausertal Moog | Tractor cab with reversible controls - has hydraulic steering as pluggable unit with flexible hoses, and has rotatable driver's seat |
GB2217817A (en) * | 1988-04-30 | 1989-11-01 | Ford Motor Co | A steering column construction |
US5016722A (en) * | 1989-01-31 | 1991-05-21 | Kubota Ltd. | Cab structure for riding type working vehicle |
FR2722750A1 (en) * | 1994-07-22 | 1996-01-26 | Renault Regie Nationale Usines | Vehicle steering column support |
EP0950600A2 (en) * | 1998-04-17 | 1999-10-20 | Still Gmbh | Steering actuating device |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE19624003C2 (en) * | 1996-06-15 | 1999-09-09 | Daimler Chrysler Ag | Driver's seat for vehicles, in particular commercial vehicles |
US6948740B2 (en) * | 2003-01-17 | 2005-09-27 | General Motors Corporation | Vehicle with multiple driver interfaces |
-
2008
- 2008-08-22 GB GB0815324A patent/GB2462852A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2009
- 2009-08-03 WO PCT/IB2009/006425 patent/WO2010020849A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
SU537879A1 (en) * | 1975-06-06 | 1976-12-05 | Всесоюзный научно-исследовательский институт строительного и дорожного машиностроения | Steering column vehicle |
DE3015408A1 (en) * | 1980-04-22 | 1981-10-29 | Alfons 7774 Deggenhausertal Moog | Tractor cab with reversible controls - has hydraulic steering as pluggable unit with flexible hoses, and has rotatable driver's seat |
GB2217817A (en) * | 1988-04-30 | 1989-11-01 | Ford Motor Co | A steering column construction |
US5016722A (en) * | 1989-01-31 | 1991-05-21 | Kubota Ltd. | Cab structure for riding type working vehicle |
FR2722750A1 (en) * | 1994-07-22 | 1996-01-26 | Renault Regie Nationale Usines | Vehicle steering column support |
EP0950600A2 (en) * | 1998-04-17 | 1999-10-20 | Still Gmbh | Steering actuating device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2010020849A1 (en) | 2010-02-25 |
GB0815324D0 (en) | 2008-10-01 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |