WO2012007835A1 - Steering device for motor vehicles - Google Patents
Steering device for motor vehicles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2012007835A1 WO2012007835A1 PCT/IB2011/001651 IB2011001651W WO2012007835A1 WO 2012007835 A1 WO2012007835 A1 WO 2012007835A1 IB 2011001651 W IB2011001651 W IB 2011001651W WO 2012007835 A1 WO2012007835 A1 WO 2012007835A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- steering
- shaft
- input shaft
- angular
- angular gearbox
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- 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
- B62D1/20—Connecting steering column to steering gear
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Power Steering Mechanism (AREA)
- Steering Controls (AREA)
- Steering-Linkage Mechanisms And Four-Wheel Steering (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention provides a steering device (1; 20) for motor vehicles comprising a steering wheel (2; 22) connected to a first control shaft (3; 23); a steering box (13) with an inlet shaft (13a) designed to convert the rotational movement of the inlet shaft (13a) into a directional movement for the steered wheels of the motor vehicle. The device comprises an angular gearbox (7, 9; 27, 29, 39) with an inlet shaft (7a, 9a; 27a, 29a, 39a) operatively connected to the first control shaft (3; 23) and an outlet shaft (7b, 9b; 27b, 29b, 39b) operatively connected to the inlet shaft (13a) of the steering box (13). The invention also concerns a motor vehicle comprising the steering device and a kit for the assembly of said device.
Description
STEERING DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns the field of the manufacture of steering device for motor vehicles.
In particular, the present invention refers to the manufacture of steering devices both for mass-produced motor vehicles and, more in particular, for motor vehicles produced by modifying steering devices already installed in the vehicles. The present invention also refers to a kit for the assembly of said steering devices in motor vehicles.
DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART
In the manufacture of steering systems for motor vehicles, it is well known that mechanical elements are used to transfer directionality to the steered wheels when the steering wheel is turned by the driver.
Steering systems belonging to the known state of the art substantially comprise a steering wheel connected to a first rotating steering gear shaft, or steering column, positioned at an angle in relation to the ground, which is connected in turn by means of a cardan joint to a second steering gear shaft.
This second steering gear shaft is connected to a so-called steering box, in which the rotary movement induced in the second steering gear shaft by the driver turning the steering wheel is converted by means of a cardan joint into a linear movement that is then transferred to the steering tie rods that orient the direction of the steered wheels of the motor vehicle.
The steered wheels are normally the front wheels, but in some types of motor vehicle they may also be the rear wheels, or both the front and the rear wheels. The steering box is normally positioned and attached to the chassis in the lower part of the motor vehicle, either at the front or at the rear.
The steering box is complete with a rotatable input shaft that is connected to the second steering gear shaft and converts the rotational movement into a movement for orienting the steered wheels of the motor vehicle.
According to the known art, the steering box can convert the rotational movement of the input shaft in an exclusively mechanical manner, or electrically or hydraulically.
The steering system basically enables the driver to orient the steered wheels and thereby modify the direction in which the vehicle travels by taking action on the steering box via the kinematic chain consisting of the steering wheel, the first
steering gear shaft, the cardan joint, and the second steering gear shaft.
A drawback of the known types of steering system consists in that the positions of the steering box and steering wheel are normally established during the design and assembly of the motor vehicle. This assembly sometimes does not guarantee the best working conditions for the kinematic chain of the steering system, particularly in terms of the operating angle between the first and second steering gear shafts, and consequently in terms of the operating angle of the piston pin constituting the cardan joint. It is well known, in fact, that the greater the angle between the drive shaft and the driven shaft in a cardan joint, the greater the distance from a condition of linearity, when the two axes are coaxial and therefore when, throughout the rotation, the relative speed of the driven shaft with respect to that of the drive shaft corresponds to one and the ratio between the torque of the driven shaft and that of the drive shaft remains constant.
The higher the angle between the drive shaft and the driven shaft, the lower the efficiency of the transmission in terms of the linearity of the steering system and the distribution of the strains along the kinematic chain.
Again according to the known art, there is sometimes a need to modify and adapt certain types of motor vehicle, and particularly vehicles such as trucks, light trucks and vans, military vehicles, moving store vehicles, and other vehicles for special purposes, for carrying people and goods, to increase their load-bearing capacity, for instance. As an example, these changes may demand the displacement of the steering wheel and steering column into a position further forward than the standard position in order to obtain a further forward driving position.
A known solution for this type of problem involves extending the kinematic chain by inserting one or more cardan joints connected by corresponding portions of shaft for transmitting the rotational movement.
This solution also has the above-mentioned drawback, however, relating particularly to the operating angle of the cardan joints and to the reduced efficiency of the transmission in terms of the linearity of the steering system and the distribution of the strains along the kinematic chain.
In addition, this drawback is amplified by the presence of several cardan joints. The main aim of the present invention is consequently to overcome said drawback.
In particular, one object of the present invention is to provide a steering device
for a motor vehicle that enables the efficiency of the transmission of the kinematic chain in transferring the rotational movement from the steering wheel to the steering box to be improved.
Another object of the invention is to provide a steering device that allows for a greater freedom in the motor vehicle design phase, inasmuch as concerns the positioning of the steering system components, and particularly the relative position of the steering wheel in relation to the steering box.
Another object of the invention is to provide a steering device that allows for the easy and efficient modification of the steering systems of known type.
Another object of the invention is to provide a steering device that enables the driver's position to be brought forward and/or displaced while mamtaining the efficiency of the steering system.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention is based on the general consideration that the transmission efficiency of a steering device in a motor vehicle can be improved by means of the use of angular gearboxes.
According to a first embodiment, one object of the present invention is a steering device for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, i.e. a steering device for a motor vehicle comprising:
- a steering wheel connected to a first steering gear shaft;
- a steering box complete with an input shaft designed to convert the rotational movement of said input shaft into a movement for orienting the steered wheels of said motor vehicle, the steering device comprising at least one angular gearbox comprising an input shaft operatively connected to said first steering gear shaft and an output shaft operatively connected to said input shaft of said steering box. The use of an angular gearbox advantageously achieves an improvement in the efficiency of the kinematic transmission chain between the steering wheel and the steering box.
Cardan-joint means are preferably inserted between the steering wheel and the input shaft of the steering box.
The sum of the operating angles of the cardan-joint means between the steering wheel and the input shaft of the steering box is preferably less than 40°, and even more preferably less than 30°.
In the steering device according to the invention, the cardan-joint means advantageously work with reduced operating angles.
A second steering gear shaft is preferably operatively connected to the first steering gear shaft by means of cardan joints.
Even more preferably, the operating angle of said cardan joints between the first steering gear shaft and the second steering gear shaft is less than 30°.
The operating angle for said cardan joints is advantageously limited.
The input shaft and the output shaft of the angular gearbox are preferably substantially perpendicular to one another and the gear ratio corresponds to one. The steering device preferably comprises one or more telescopic propeller shafts between the steering wheel and the steering box.
The assembly of the steering device is advantageously facilitated by the use of said telescopic propeller shafts.
According to another embodiment, the object of the present invention is a motor vehicle comprising a steering device according to the invention.
According to another embodiment, an object of the present invention is a kit for the assembly of a steering device in the steering box of a motor vehicle comprising:
- at least one angular gearbox comprising an input shaft operatively connectable to a steering wheel and an output shaft operatively connectable to an input shaft of said steering box;
- at least one drive shaft operatively connectable between said steering wheel and said steering box.
It is advantageously possible to use said kit to install a steering device in a motor vehicle and thereby improve the efficiency of the kinematic transmission chain between the steering wheel and the steering box.
Further embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Further advantages, objects and characteristics, as well as other embodiments of the present invention are described in the claims and are further clarified below in the description that follows, with reference to the attached drawings. In particular, in the drawings:
fig. 1 shows an axonometric view of a steering device according to a first embodiment of the invention applied to the chassis of a truck;
- fig. 2 shows the steering device in fig. 1 detached from the chassis;
- fig. 3 shows a side view of the device in fig. 1 ;
fig. 4 shows a view from above of the device in fig. 1 ;
fig. 5 shows an axonometric view of an enlarged detail of fig. 2;
fig. 6 shows a side view of the detail in fig. 5;
fig. 7 shows an axonometric view of a steering device according to a second embodiment of the invention applied to the chassis of a truck;
fig. 8 shows the steering device in fig. 7 detached from the chassis;
fig. 9 shows a side view of the device in fig. 7;
fig. 10 shows a view from above of the device in fig. 7;
fig. 11 shows an axonometric view of a steering device according to a third embodiment of the invention, applied to the chassis of a truck.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Although the present invention is described below with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and illustrated in said drawings. Instead, the embodiments described and illustrated herein clarify some aspects of the present invention, the object of which is stated in the claims.
The present invention has proved particularly advantageous when applied to industrial motor vehicles in general, and even more particularly when used to modify the steering systems of such industrial vehicles. It should be noted, however, that the present invention is not limited to industrial motor vehicles. On the contrary, the present invention can be conveniently applied to any motor vehicle, including motor cars, trucks, vans, and heavy-duty vehicles, be they mass-produced or modified and adapted to special uses at a later stage, as in the modification of trucks, moving store vehicles and other vehicles for special purposes, for carrying people and goods, to increase their load-bearing capacity, or in modified military vehicles.
Figure 1 shows a steering device 1 according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention.
The steering device 1 is shown installed on the front portion of a chassis T of a truck, of which the pair of spars LI and L2 is visible in particular. In fact, the steering device 1 is attached to various points on said chassis T according to known methods, e.g. by means of brackets, or direct bolting to the chassis, or by means of vibration bearings. For the sake of simplicity, fig. 2 shows the steering device 1 alone, in the same configuration as when it is installed on the chassis T, i.e. as shown in fig. 1.
The steering device 1 comprises a steering wheel 2, which can rotate around a first axis XI, set at an angle in relation to the ground on which the chassis T rests by means of the wheels (not shown in the figures).
The steering wheel 2 is integral with a first steering gear shaft 3 and rotatable around said axis of rotation XI. A second steering gear shaft 4 is connected at its first end 4a to the first steering gear shaft 3 by means of a first cardan joint 5. The second steering gear shaft 4 is rotatable around a respective second axis of rotation X2, forming with the aforesaid first axis of rotation XI an operating angle Al of approximately 28°. The second shaft 4 is of the telescopic propeller type, so that the distance between its two ends 4a and 4b can be adjusted to the required length at the time of its assembly.
The end 4b of the second steering gear shaft 4 is connected by means of a second cardan joint 6 to the input shaft 7a of a first angular gearbox 7, better illustrated in figures 5 and 6.
The input shaft 7a of the first angular gearbox 7 is aligned with a third axis of rotation X3, that forms an angle of less than 1° with the second axis of rotation X2 of the second steering gear shaft 4. The input shaft 7a of the first angular gearbox 7 and the second steering gear shaft 4 are consequently substantially parallel and the second cardan joint 6 therefore works in ideal conditions, i.e. with an angle of inclination between the drive shaft and the driven shaft substantially amounting to zero.
The presence of the second cardan joint 6 advantageously enables the recovery of any slack or misalignment between the second steering gear shaft 4 and the input shaft 7a of the angular gearbox 7. In alternative variants, however, said cardan joint 6 could also be omitted.
As shown in figures 5 and 6, the angular gearbox 7 presents said input shaft 7a aligned with the respective axis of rotation X3 and an output shaft 7b aligned with a respective axis of rotation X4. Said axes of rotation X3 and X4 are perpendicular to one another and the gear ratio between the output shaft 7b and the input shaft 7a amounts to one. This can be achieved, as shown in fig. 6 for instance, by means of an internally-geared angular gear 8a, 8b in an oil bath, in the box 8 housing the angular gearbox 7.
In other embodiments, the gear ratio between the output shaft and the input shaft of the angular gearbox could differ from the 1 : 1 ratio considered here.
The angular gearbox 7 advantageously has a linear behaviour inasmuch as
concerns the transfer of torque between the input shaft 7a and the output shaft 7b, and inasmuch as concerns the angular velocity of the input shaft 7a in relation to the output shaft 7b.
A second angular gearbox 9 with a respective input shaft 9a and output shaft 9b is attached to the chassis T. The input shaft 9a of the second angular gearbox 9 is connected to the output shaft 7b of the first angular gearbox 7 by means of an intermediate shaft 15 and two cardan joints 10, 11.
The intermediate shaft 15 is substantially coaxial to the output shaft 7b of the first angular gearbox 7 and to the input shaft 9a of the second angular gearbox 9, and the two cardan joints 10, 11 consequently work in ideal conditions, i.e. with an angle of inclination between the drive shaft and the driven shaft substantially amounting to zero.
The presence of the two cardan joints 10, 11 advantageously enables the recovery of any slack and misalignment between the input shaft 9a of the second angular gearbox 9 and the output shaft 7b of the first angular gearbox 7. In alternative embodiments, however, said cardan joints 10, 11 could also be omitted.
The output shaft 9b of the second angular gearbox 9 is connected to the input shaft 13a of a steering box 13 by means of a cardan joint 14. In a manner in itself known, said box 13 induces the directional movement of the steered wheels of the motor vehicle (not shown in the figures).
The input shaft 13a of the steering box 13 is substantially coaxial to the output shaft 9b of the second angular gearbox 9, and the cardan joint 14 consequently works in ideal conditions, i.e. with an angle of inclination between the drive shaft and the driven shaft amounting substantially to zero.
The presence of the cardan joint 14 advantageously enables a recovery of any slack or misalignment between the input shaft 13a of the steering box 13 and the output shaft 9b of the second angular gearbox 9. In alternative embodiments, however, said cardan joint 14 could also be omitted.
The second angular gearbox 9 is the same as the first angular gearbox 7, so the axes of rotation of the output shaft 9b and of the input shaft 9a are perpendicular to one another and have a gear ratio amounting to one.
The presence of the two angular gearboxes 7 and 9 advantageously enables the kinematic chain consisting of the steering wheel 2, the first steering gear shaft 3, the first cardan joint 5, and the second steering gear shaft 4 to work at angles, such as the operating angle Al, that are smaller than those in the known
solutions.
In fact, the position of the end 4b of the second steering gear shaft 4, and the consequent inclination of said second steering gear shaft in relation to the first steering gear shaft 3, is suitably selected and determined by means of the use of a suitable number of angular gearboxes (two in the case described herein), suitably connected by means of drive shafts, starting from the input shaft 13a of the steering box 13.
In the above-described embodiment, the angle of inclination of the second steering gear shaft 4 in relation to the first steering gear shaft 3, and the consequent operating angle Al of the first cardan joint 5, amounts approximately to 28°, while the remaining cardan joints 6, 10, 11 and 14 have an operating angle substantially and advantageously amounting to 0°. It can consequently be claimed that the use of the two angular gearboxes 7 and 9 enables the use of a series of cardan joints in the steering device 1 (amounting to 5 in the example given here), wherein the sum of their operating angles is less than 30°. This enables a global functionality of the steering device 1 to be made as linear and efficient as possible, which gives the driver of the vehicle a better control and reduces the strain needed to turn the steering wheel 2.
More in general, in a given steering device, action can be taken to use a sufficient number of angular gearboxes such that the sum of the operating angles of the cardan joints used in the steering device is preferably less than 40°, and even more preferably, less than 30°.
The use of the angular gearboxes 7 and 9 is particularly advantageous, moreover, because each angular gearbox 7 or 9 transmits a movement of linear type between the input shaft and the output shaft, with fixed gear ratios that enable an optimal sizing of the various components involved in said transmission.
The use of angular gearboxes with input shafts and output shafts arranged perpendicular to one another is particularly advantageous because it enables the achievement of a 90° displacement of the axis of rotation while keeping the gear ratio and torques involved uniform between the input and the output sides of the angular gearbox.
Similarly, using angular gearboxes with gear ratios amounting to one is particularly advantageous because it keeps the torques uniform between the input and the output sides.
In other embodiments, however, angular gearboxes with different gear ratios may
be used to reduce the torque on the input side.
The use of angular gearboxes can also enable different models of motor vehicle to be designed without particularly strict restraints on the position of the steering box in relation to the steering wheel.
In particular applications, moreover, where there is a need to modify an existing steering system, if it is necessary to move the steering wheel further forward or further back for instance, one or more angular gearboxes can be inserted between the steering box (the position of which is advantageously kept fixed) and the second steering gear shaft in order to achieve a greater efficiency in the transmission of the movement, as explained above, with particular reference to the operating angles of the cardan joints.
Figures 7 to 10 show a steering device 20 according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention.
In this embodiment, as will emerge from the description given below, the use of three angular gearboxes instead of two (as in the first embodiment described above), makes it possible to obtain a steering system for a right-hand drive instead of a left-hand drive without having to modify the position of the steering box in the motor vehicle, simply by adding a angular gearbox and a drive shaft to the configuration used for a left-hand drive.
The steering device 20 is shown installed on the front portion of the chassis T of a truck, of which the pair of spars LI and L2 is visible in particular. In fact, the steering device 20 is attached to various points of said chassis T using known methods, e.g. by means of brackets, or direct bolting to the chassis, or using vibration bearings. For the sake of simplicity, fig. 8 shows the steering device 20 alone, in the same configuration as when it is installed on the chassis T, i.e. as shown in fig. 7.
The steering device 20 comprises a steering wheel 22 installed on the right-hand side of the chassis T that is rotatable around a first axis Χ and inclined at an angle to the ground on which the chassis T rests by means of the wheels (not shown in the figures).
The steering wheel 22 is integral with a first steering gear shaft 23 and rotatable around the same axis of rotation XI '. A second steering gear shaft 24 has its first end 24a connected to the first steering gear shaft 23 by means of a first cardan joint 25. The second steering gear shaft 24 can rotate around a respective second axis of rotation X2', forming an operating angle Α of approximately 28° with
the aforesaid first axis of rotation XV. The second shaft 24 is of the telescopic propeller type, so that the distance between its two ends 24a and 24b can be adjusted to the required length at the time of its assembly.
The end 24b of the second steering gear shaft 24 is connected by means of a second cardan joint 26 to the input shaft 27a of a first angular gearbox 27.
The input shaft 27a of the first angular gearbox 27 is aligned with a third axis of rotation X3', forming an angle of less than 1° with the second axis of rotation X2' of the second steering gear shaft 24. The input shaft 27a of the first angular gearbox 27 and the second steering gear shaft 24 are consequently substantially parallel and the second cardan joint 26 therefore works in ideal conditions, i.e. with an angle of inclination between the drive shaft and the driven shaft amounting substantially to zero.
The presence of the second cardan joint 26 advantageously enables the recovery of any slack or misalignment between the second steering gear shaft 24 and the input shaft 27a of the angular gearbox 27. In alternative embodiments, however, the cardan joint 26 could also be omitted.
The first angular gearbox 27 has the input shaft 27a aligned with the respective axis of rotation X3' and an output shaft 27b aligned with a respective axis of rotation. Said axes of rotation are perpendicular to one another and the gear ratio between the output shaft 27b and the input shaft 27a amounts to one. This can be achieved, as described above, by means of an angular gear.
In other embodiments, the gear ratio between the output shaft and the input shaft of the angular gearbox could differ from the 1 : 1 ratio considered here.
A second angular gearbox 29 with a respective input shaft 29a and output shaft 29b is attached to the left-hand side of the chassis T. The input shaft 29a of the second angular gearbox 29 is connected to the output shaft 27b of the first angular gearbox 27 by means of a first telescopic propeller-type intermediate shaft 28 and two cardan joints 30, 31.
The first intermediate shaft 28 is substantially coaxial to the output shaft 27b of the first angular gearbox 27 and to the input shaft 29a of the second angular gearbox 29, and the two cardan joints 30, 31 consequently work in ideal conditions, i.e. with an angle of inclination between the drive shaft and the driven shaft substantially amounting to zero.
The presence of the two cardan joints 30, 31 advantageously enables the recovery of any slack or misalignment between the input shaft 29a of the second angular
gearbox 29 and the output shaft 27b of the first angular gearbox 27. In alternative embodiments, however, these cardan joints 30, 31 could also be omitted.
A third angular gearbox 39 with a respective input shaft 39a and output shaft 39b is attached to the chassis T. The input shaft 39a of the third angular gearbox 39 is connected to the output shaft 29b of the second angular gearbox 29 by means of a second intermediate shaft 45 with two cardan joints 50, 51.
The second intermediate shaft 45 is substantially coaxial to the output shaft 29b of the second angular gearbox 29 and to the input shaft 39a of the third angular gearbox 39, and the two cardan joints 50, 51 consequently work in ideal conditions, i.e. with an angle of inclination between the drive shaft and the driven shaft amounting substantially to zero.
The presence of the two cardan joints 50, 51 advantageously enables the recovery of any slack or misalignment between the input shaft 39a of the third angular gearbox 39 and the output shaft 29b of the second angular gearbox 29. In alternative embodiments, however, these cardan joints 50, 51 could also be omitted.
The output shaft 39b of the third angular gearbox 39 is connected to the input shaft 13a of the steering box 13 by means of a cardan joint 54. In a known manner, said steering box 13 achieves the movement for orienting the steered wheels of the motor vehicle, as shown in the figure.
The input shaft 13a of the steering box 13 is substantially coaxial with the output shaft 39b of the third angular gearbox 39, and the cardan joint 54 consequently works in ideal conditions, i.e. with an angle of inclination between the drive shaft and the driven shaft amounting substantially to zero.
The presence of the cardan joint 54 advantageously enables the recovery of any slack or misalignment between the input shaft 13a of the steering box 13 and the output shaft 39b of the third angular gearbox 39. In other embodiments, however, this cardan joint 54 could also be omitted.
The three angular gearboxes 27, 29, 39 are advantageously identical and they consequently have axes of rotation of the output shafts 27b, 29b, 39b and input shafts 27a, 29a, 39a perpendicular to one another and a gear ratio amounting to one.
The present embodiment in particular shows how the steering system of a motor vehicle with a normally left-hand drive can be converted into a motor vehicle with a right-hand drive simply by adding a further angular gearbox and a drive
shaft. At the same time, providing the three angular gearboxes 27, 29, 39 advantageously enables the kinematic chain consisting of the steering wheel 22, the first steering gear shaft 23, the cardan joint 25, and the second steering gear shaft 24 to work with angles, such as the operating angle ΑΓ, that are smaller than in the known solutions.
In fact, the position of the end 24b of the second steering gear shaft 24 and the consequent inclination of said second steering gear shaft 24 in relation to the first steering gear shaft 23 are suitably selected and determined by using an appropriate number of angular gearboxes (three in the present case), suitably connected to one another with drive shafts, starting from the input shaft 13a of the steering box 13.
In the above-described embodiment, the angle of inclination of the second steering gear shaft 24 in relation to the first steering gear shaft 23, and the consequent operating angle Α of the first cardan joint 25, amounts to approximately 28°, while the other cardan joints 26, 30, 31, 50, 51 have an operating angle substantially and advantageously amounting to 0°. We can therefore claim that the use of the three angular gearboxes 27, 29 and 39 for the steering device 20 enables the use of a series of cardan joints (amounting to seven in this case), wherein the sum of their operating angles is less than 30°. This enables the global functionality of the steering device 20 to be made as linear and efficient as possible.
It should also be noted that the second angular gearbox 29 has a second output shaft 29c, placed at a 90° angle to both the input shaft 29a and the output shaft 29b. Said second output shaft 29c is not used in the embodiment illustrated herein, but the use of said angular gearbox 29, also known as a three-way angular gearbox, enables the steering device according to the invention to become modular.
In fact, it becomes possible to switch from the right-hand drive configuration, shown in figures from 7 to 10, to a left-hand drive configuration, as shown in figures from 1 to 4, by removing the first angular gearbox 27 and the first telescopic propeller-type intermediate shaft 28, and connecting the end 24b of the second steering gear shaft 24 to the unused second output shaft 29c of the second angular gearbox 29 by means of the second cardan joint 26.
In this case, the input shaft 29a remains unused, or ready for any necessary reconversion - this time from a left-hand drive to a right-hand drive.
Figure 11 shows a steering device 20 according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention.
In this embodiment, the use of three angular gearboxes makes it possible to achieve a steering system for a central driver's position. This solution only differs from the second embodiment of the steering device for a right-hand drive, described above in relation to figures from 7 to 10, in that the first telescopic propeller-type intermediate shaft 28' is shorter than the length of the first telescopic propeller-type shaft 28.
In the above-described embodiments, the angular gearbox used is preferably of the so-called double-output type, i.e. there is an output shaft and an input shaft that lie perpendicular to one another and have a gear ratio of one.
In other embodiments, however, different angular gearboxes may be used, and particularly angular gearboxes with several output shafts at a 90° angle, or an output shaft at a 180° angle, of the three-way type described above for instance, or angular gearboxes with different gear ratios in order to reduce the torque between the input shaft and the output shaft.
The use of angular gearboxes with several outputs, as described in relation to the second embodiment for instance, enables the steering device to become modular. For example, provision can be made for the presence of one or more angular gearboxes with several outputs, of which only the two outputs with the most suitable angle will be used - as the case may demand, and depending on the vehicle to which they are applied - to achieve the required path between the steering box and the steering wheel.
It has thus been demonstrated that the present invention enables the previously stated object to be achieved. In particular, it enables the manufacture of a steering device with an improved efficiency in the transmission of the kinematic chain transferring the rotational movement from the steering wheel to the steering box. While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular embodiments illustrated in the figures, it is important to note that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments illustrated and described herein; on the contrary, further variants of the embodiments described shall come within the scope of the present invention, as stated in the claims.
Claims
1) Steering device (1 ; 20) for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- a steering wheel (2; 22) connected to a first steering gear shaft (3; 23);
- a steering box (13) provided with an input shaft (13a) and suited to convert the rotary motion of said input shaft (13a) into a motion intended to direct the steering wheels of said motor vehicle;
characterized in that it comprises at least one angular gearbox (7, 9; 27, 29, 39) comprising an input shaft (7a, 9a; 27a, 29a, 39a) operatively connected to said first steering gear shaft (3; 23) and an output shaft (7b, 9b; 27b, 29b, 39b) operatively connected to said input shaft (13a) of said steering box (13).
2) Device (1; 20) according to claim 1), characterized in that it comprises cardan-joint means (5, 6, 10, 11, 14; 25, 26, 30, 31, 50, 51, 54) between said steering wheel (2) and said input shaft (13a) of said steering box (13).
3) Device (1; 20) according to claim 1), characterized in that it comprises a second steering gear shaft (4; 24) operatively connected to said first steering gear shaft (3; 23) through cardan joints (5; 25).
4) Device (1; 20) according to claim 3), characterized in that the operating angle (Al; ΑΓ) of said cardan joints (5; 25) between said first steering gear shaft (3; 23) and said second steering gear shaft (4; 24) is preferably less than 30°.
5) Device (1; 20) according to claim 2), characterized in that the sum of the operating angles of said cardan joints (5, 6, 10, 11, 14; 25, 26, 30, 31, 50, 51, 54) between said steering wheel (2) and said input shaft (13a) of said steering box (13) is preferably less than 40°, and even more preferably less than 30°. 6) Device (1; 20) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said input shaft (7a, 9a; 27a, 29a, 39a) and said output shaft (7b, 9b; 27b, 29b, 39b) of said angular gearbox (7, 9; 27, 29, 39) are substantially perpendicular to each other.
7) Device (1; 20) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gear ratio between said input shaft (7a, 9a; 27a, 29a, 39a) and said output shaft (7b, 9b; 27b, 29b, 39b) of said angular gearbox (7, 9; 27, 29, 39) is equal to one.
8) Device (1; 20) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said angular gearbox (7, 9; 27, 29, 39) comprises an angular gear (8a, 8b).
9) Device (1; 20) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said angular gearbox (7, 9; 27, 29, 39) is of the type in oil bath.
10) Device (1; 20) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said angular gearbox is of the type with multiple outputs.
11) Device (1; 20) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises one or more telescopic propeller shafts (4; 24, 28; 28') between said steering wheel (2; 22) and said steering box (13).
12) Motor vehicle comprising a steering device (1; 20) constructed according to any of the preceding claims.
13) Kit for installing a steering device (1; 20) on a steering box (13) of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises the following:
- at least one angular gearbox (7, 9; 27, 29, 39) comprising an input shaft (7a, 9a; 27a, 29a, 39a) that can be operatively connected to a steering wheel (2; 22) and an output shaft (7, 9; 27, 29, 39) that can be operatively connected to an input shaft (13a) of said steering box (13);
- at least one propeller shaft that can be operatively connected between said steering wheel (2; 22) and said steering box (13).
14) Installation kit according to claim 13), characterized in that it comprises one or more telescopic propeller shafts (4; 24, 28; 28').
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITVI2010A000194 | 2010-07-16 | ||
| ITVI2010A000194A IT1401240B1 (en) | 2010-07-16 | 2010-07-16 | STEERING DEVICE FOR VEHICLES. |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2012007835A1 true WO2012007835A1 (en) | 2012-01-19 |
Family
ID=43629102
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2011/001651 WO2012007835A1 (en) | 2010-07-16 | 2011-07-12 | Steering device for motor vehicles |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| IT (1) | IT1401240B1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2012007835A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111703497A (en) * | 2020-07-17 | 2020-09-25 | 浙江工业大学 | Steering structure based on disc type electric tricycle |
Citations (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2829895A1 (en) * | 1978-07-07 | 1980-01-17 | Volkswagenwerk Ag | ANGLE TRANSMISSION FOR VEHICLE STEERING |
| JPS60193764A (en) * | 1984-03-15 | 1985-10-02 | Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd | Steering device for axle suspension type vehicle |
| JPS61175173A (en) * | 1985-01-31 | 1986-08-06 | Mitsubishi Agricult Mach Co Ltd | Steering driving device of tractor |
| US4742725A (en) * | 1985-08-02 | 1988-05-10 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Mechanism for applying pre-load to bevel gear device |
| DE4306121A1 (en) * | 1993-02-27 | 1994-09-01 | Man Nutzfahrzeuge Ag | Deflection device for transmitting the wheel steering lock, applied by the steering wheel, in utility vehicles |
| WO2007042859A1 (en) * | 2005-10-12 | 2007-04-19 | Renault Trucks | Vehicle including a sterring column |
| FR2892084A1 (en) * | 2005-10-14 | 2007-04-20 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | Steering column for motor vehicle, has intermediate shaft interposed between upper shaft and another intermediate shaft by connecting its upper end to one end of upper shaft by cardan joint and lower end to upper end of latter shaft |
| DE102007017694A1 (en) * | 2007-04-14 | 2008-10-16 | Zf Lenksysteme Gmbh | Steering mechanism for motor vehicle, has coupling mechanism provided between steering gear and steering column, where steering column and shaft of steering gear are fastened at universal joint in coupling mechanism |
| DE102007018668A1 (en) * | 2007-04-20 | 2008-10-30 | Daimler Ag | Steering arrangement for a motor vehicle |
| DE102008021513A1 (en) * | 2008-04-30 | 2008-11-27 | Daimler Ag | Steering arrangement for motor vehicle, has input-sided steering column including servo motor to assist steering force and torque sensor to measure steering moment, and output-sided steering column drive-coupled with shaft |
-
2010
- 2010-07-16 IT ITVI2010A000194A patent/IT1401240B1/en active
-
2011
- 2011-07-12 WO PCT/IB2011/001651 patent/WO2012007835A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2829895A1 (en) * | 1978-07-07 | 1980-01-17 | Volkswagenwerk Ag | ANGLE TRANSMISSION FOR VEHICLE STEERING |
| JPS60193764A (en) * | 1984-03-15 | 1985-10-02 | Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd | Steering device for axle suspension type vehicle |
| JPS61175173A (en) * | 1985-01-31 | 1986-08-06 | Mitsubishi Agricult Mach Co Ltd | Steering driving device of tractor |
| US4742725A (en) * | 1985-08-02 | 1988-05-10 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Mechanism for applying pre-load to bevel gear device |
| DE4306121A1 (en) * | 1993-02-27 | 1994-09-01 | Man Nutzfahrzeuge Ag | Deflection device for transmitting the wheel steering lock, applied by the steering wheel, in utility vehicles |
| WO2007042859A1 (en) * | 2005-10-12 | 2007-04-19 | Renault Trucks | Vehicle including a sterring column |
| FR2892084A1 (en) * | 2005-10-14 | 2007-04-20 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | Steering column for motor vehicle, has intermediate shaft interposed between upper shaft and another intermediate shaft by connecting its upper end to one end of upper shaft by cardan joint and lower end to upper end of latter shaft |
| DE102007017694A1 (en) * | 2007-04-14 | 2008-10-16 | Zf Lenksysteme Gmbh | Steering mechanism for motor vehicle, has coupling mechanism provided between steering gear and steering column, where steering column and shaft of steering gear are fastened at universal joint in coupling mechanism |
| DE102007018668A1 (en) * | 2007-04-20 | 2008-10-30 | Daimler Ag | Steering arrangement for a motor vehicle |
| DE102008021513A1 (en) * | 2008-04-30 | 2008-11-27 | Daimler Ag | Steering arrangement for motor vehicle, has input-sided steering column including servo motor to assist steering force and torque sensor to measure steering moment, and output-sided steering column drive-coupled with shaft |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111703497A (en) * | 2020-07-17 | 2020-09-25 | 浙江工业大学 | Steering structure based on disc type electric tricycle |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| IT1401240B1 (en) | 2013-07-12 |
| ITVI20100194A1 (en) | 2012-01-17 |
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