WO2024112305A2

WO2024112305A2 - An axon with adjustable steering column connection

Info

Publication number: WO2024112305A2
Application number: PCT/TR2023/051374
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ramazan Aydin
Original assignee: Turkiye'nin Otomobili Girisim Grubu Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2022-11-22
Filing date: 2023-11-22
Publication date: 2024-05-30
Also published as: WO2024112305A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to an axon (1) for performing the connection of steering column (D) and axon body (2) at optimum coordinates due to the fact that the point where the steering column (D) is connected to the axon body (2), is adjustable in a vertical direction.

Description

AN AXON WITH ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN CONNECTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an axon for performing the connection steering column and axon body at optimum coordinates due to the fact that the point where the steering column is connected to the axon body, is adjustable in a vertical direction.

Background of the Invention

Axon is used in the wheel assembly of the front suspension system, that is a subpart of the chassis system in vehicles, and it bears the brake disc, the hub, the ABS sensor, the wishbone, the damper (shock absorber), the axle and the steering column. Axon is manufactured by means of steel forging method so as to be durable in heavy commercial vehicles, whereas it is manufactured by means of iron casting or aluminium casting method in light commercial and passenger vehicle groups. The steering column enables the axon and thus the wheels to rotate when the driver turns the steering wheel, by being connected to the axon from the critical point called ptl2.

The point where the axon is connected to the steering column is the most important critical point having an effect on the characteristic of bump steer. In addition, the said critical point is the point which determines how sensitively the vehicle will respond when you turn the steering wheel to direct the wheels. In the development stage of vehicles, the vehicle dynamics teams aim to determine the optimum location of this critically important point together with the suspension teams. In the stage of determining the said point, analysis are performed according to the total weight of the vehicle, the load value per axle, the desired performance requirements at different trim levels, and the coordinate of the critical point changes. Since axons are generally processed after being obtained by means of aluminum casting method in passenger vehicles, it is necessary to process a large number of axon parts in such a way that the coordinate of different ptl2 region is different depending on the requirements of vehicle dynamics teams during vehicle development. Moreover, vehicle dynamics teams aim to find the most optimum piece after trying these different pieces in subjective and objective tests and if there are variables in such a way that the vehicle weight is different, different ptl2 coordinates are determined for each trim level. And this causes serious cost and time loss and also managing this confusion during manufacturing makes things quite difficult. Therefore, today there is a need for solutions which will enable to adjust the coordinates of a critical connection point without the need for producing an axon part by overcoming the above-mentioned problems.

The Chinese utility model document no. CN215043088U, an application included in the state of the art, discloses a connecting structure of a steering knuckle and a shaft of a passenger car brake. The said connecting structure comprises a steering knuckle, a connecting structure of a brake shaft, a straddle screw, a first semicircular hole arranged on the inner wall of the center hole of the steering knuckle, a second semicircular hole arranged on the outer wall of the hub shaft. The first semicircular hole is created on the inner wall of a center hole of the steering knuckle. The second semicircular hole is created on the the outer wall of the hub shaft. The axis of the first semicircular hole is parallel to the axis line of the center hole of the steering knuckle. The axis line of the second semicircular hole is parallel to the axis line of the hub shaft. The axis line of the first semicircular hole coincidences with the axis line of the second semicircular hole and it is surrounded with the first semicircular hole and the second semicircular hole. An internal thread suitable a straddle screw is arranged in the round hole. The relative position between the steering knuckle and the hub shaft is locked by the straddle screw which can prevent displacement and thus, the gear pair is fixed between the steering knuckle and the hub shaft during movement and displacement is prevented.

Summary of the Invention

An objective of the present invention is to realize an axon comprising an adaptor piece which can move in a vertical direction inside the axon body so as to perform the connection of steering column and axon body, that have an effect on vehicle driving dynamics, at the optimum coordinate point.

Another objective of the present invention is to realize an axon wherein the position of the adaptor piece is fixed by means of connecting members, upon it reaches the optimum coordinate requested on the axon body.

Another objective of the present invention is to realize an axon which enables to eliminate the production of axon obtained as a result of many different processings during vehicle development and mass production and wherein the connection point and the steering column have an easily adjustable structure.

Another objective of the present invention is to realize an axon which comprises an external threaded adaptor for adjusting the z-axis coordinates of the steering column connection point, and a threaded surface in the region where the adaptor contacts.

Detailed Description of the Invention

“An Axon with Adjustable Steering Column Connection” realized to fulfil the objectives of the present invention is shown in the figures attached, in which:

Figure 1 is a view of the inventive axon with adjustable steering column connection. Figure l is a detailed perspective view of connection of the inventive axon with adjustable steering column connection with a steering column.

The components illustrated in the figures are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following:

1. Axon

2. Body

3. Adaptor

4. Connecting member

D: Steering column

The inventive axon (1) for performing the connection of steering column and axon body at optimum coordinates due to the fact that the point where the steering column is connected to the axon body, is adjustable in a vertical direction, comprises at least one body (2) which comprises at least one aperture with a threaded inner surface at the connection point at least with the steering column (D); at least one threaded adaptor (3) which enables the connection point of the steering column (D) to be adjustable in a vertical axis by performing rotational motion in the threaded aperture included on the body (2); and at least one connecting member (4) which enables to fix the adaptor (3) on the body (2), upon it is moved into a requested connection position.

In the inventive axon (1), the body (2) is a piece where the connection with the steering column (D) is realized by means of the adaptor (3). Since the point where the body (2) and the steering column (D) are connected affects the vehicle driving dynamics, it creates a critical connection point called ptl2. The critical point where the steering column (D) is connected on the body (2) has a specific value in the coordinates on the x, y and z axis and the adaptor (3) enables the value of z axis to be adjustable.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the body (2) comprises an aperture which has an internally threaded structure at the point where the steering column (D) is connected, and comprises an aperture wherein the adaptor (3) performs rotational motion. In the said aperture, the adaptor (3) moves up and down on the z axis.

In the inventive axon (1), the adaptor (3) is the piece which enables the steering column (D) connection to be adjustable on the z axis, by moving in a vertical direction on the body (2). The adaptor (3) comprises at least one connection hole for the steering column (D) connection. The adaptor (3) comprises at least one flange to be pressed by the ball joint of the steering column (D). In one preferred embodiment, the flange of the adaptor (3) has a flat form. By means of up and down movement of the threaded adapter (3) along the z-axis on the body (2), the middle of the ball joint is adjusted on the z axis. Thereby, the axon (1) -which is called ptl2- can adjust the coordinates of the connection point of the steering column (D).

The connecting member (4) included in the inventive axon (1) is a bolt used to fix the adapter (3) on the body (2). The body (2) comprises at least one blind hole where the connecting member (4) can enter and be fixed. The connecting member (4) ensures that the critical point does not change, by adjusting the adapter (3) and then fixing it on the body (2).

In the inventive axon (1), it is possible to adjust the critical steering column (D) connection point -which is called ptl2- by the threaded adapter (3) performing rotational motion inside the aperture included on the body (2). Upon the threaded adapter (3) performs rotational motion, it is provided to adjust the motion connection point on the z axis to a requested coordinate. After adjusting the adapter (3), a position fixing process is carried out by the connecting member (4). With the inventive axon (1) configuration, connection point coordinates of the steering column (D) -which is requested to be tested- can be changed by being easily adjusted. Thereby, differences between connection points are easily detected and then the most optimum point is determined.

Within these basic concepts; it is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive “Axon (1) with Adjustable Steering Column (D) Connection”; the invention cannot be limited to examples disclosed herein and it is essentially according to claims.

Claims

1. An axon (1) for performing the connection of steering column and axon body at optimum coordinates due to the fact that the point where the steering column is connected to the axon body, is adjustable in a vertical direction, characterized by at least one body (2) which comprises at least one aperture with a threaded inner surface at the connection point at least with the steering column (D); at least one threaded adaptor (3) which enables the connection point of the steering column (D) to be adjustable in a vertical axis by performing rotational motion in the threaded aperture included on the body (2); and at least one connecting member (4) which enables to fix the adaptor (3) on the body (2), upon it is moved into a requested connection position.

2. An axon (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the body (2) which comprises an aperture having an internally threaded structure at the point where the steering column (D) is connected, and comprising an aperture wherein the adaptor (3) performs rotational motion.

3. An axon (1) according to Claim 1 or 2; characterized by the adaptor (3) which comprises at least one connection hole for the steering column (D) connection.

4. An axon (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the adaptor (3) which comprises at least one flange to be pressed by the ball joint of the steering column (D).

5. An axon (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the connecting member (4) which is a bolt used to fix the adapter (3) on the body (2).

6. An axon (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the body (2) which comprises at least one blind hole where the connecting member (4) can enter and be fixed.