DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automotive steering linkage configuration. More specifically, the present invention relates to a reinforced connecting member that link steering ball joints on both sides in an automotive steering linkage. Further, the present invention aims to reduce weight, complexity and enhances the strength of steering linkage connecting member.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
In an automobile, steering geometry is determined by the configuration of steering linkages. The Steering linkage in the automobile consists of a connecting member with steering ball joints at both sides. The steering linkages are commonly referred to as Drag Link Assembly (DLA) and Tie Rod Assembly (TRA). The DLA links the steering gear drop arm on one side and vehicle wheel-knuckle arm assembly on the other side. The TRA links front wheel (left side and right side) stub axles. Geometry of such linkage provides high steering flexibility of road wheels based on the rotation motion given by driver of the automobile through steering wheel. At any period during vehicle service worthiness, defined boundary conditions and loads, integrity of the automobile front chassis geometry cannot be compromised.

Failure of the DLA or TRA due to dynamic and static loads during intended service life of the automobile leads to hard steering or loss of the steering control resulting in harm to life or limb, damage to vehicle and external elements. The connecting member of the DLA or TRA is generally of metallic tube construction or solid bar construction. The DLA or TRA of metallic tube construction has a large outer diameter when compared to the ends of the connecting member so as to withstand high loads. The DLA or TRA of metallic solid bar construction is significantly heavier when compared to tubular construction.

US2956814relates to a suspension system for thefront end of an automobile comprising a steering gear connecting rod connects the endsof the steering arms. This connection includes a steering ball on the end of each steeringarm and a complementary socket each end of steering connecting rod. A rigid suspension system is framed as a parallelogram sort of linkage between the front wheels. This makes the system troublesome to function after a repeated use.

EP0771717 discloses a linkage assembly to turn steerable vehicle wheels. A first hollow tie rod is pivotallyconnected with a first connector section of the center linkand with a steerable vehicle wheel. The first tie rodincludes a hollow inner section formed of a singlepiece of sheet metal and a hollow outer section formed of asingle piece of sheet metal. An adjustment mechanism interconnects the inner and outer sections of the first tierod to enable the length of the first tie rod to be varied. A second hollow tie rod has the same construction as the firsttie rod and is connected with a second connector section of the center link and with a second steerable vehicle wheel. The invention disclosed is not certain about the strength of the linkage assembly.

Current steel material in linkage element cannot be totally replaced/eliminated by a composite material due to failure mode which tend to breakage. The current steel material should be improved in such a way that the failure mode should be preferably buckling, the steering linkage should tend to bend/ buckle rather than breakage.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a reinforced connecting member that link steering ball joints on both sides of an automotive steering linkage. Further, to reduce weight, complexity and enhance the strength of the steering linkage connecting member.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION
One or more of the problems of the conventional prior art may be overcome by various embodiments of the present invention.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a reinforced connecting member that link steering ball joint assemblies on both sides in an automotive steering linkage.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a reinforced connecting member, which reduces weight and complexity of the steering linkage.

It is another object of the present invention to use the current steel material linkage reinforced with a composite material to allow bending / buckling in failure mode to avoiding breakage of the steering linkage.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a steering linkage act as a fuse in the steering system and should buckle / bend rather than breakage into pieces to avoid loss of steering control in the event of any extraordinary load act on the steering system.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the connecting member is reinforced with a composite material which reduces complexity and enhances the strength of the steering linkage connecting member.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided a reinforced automotive steering linkage, comprising of:
at least one connecting member;
two or more steering ball joint assemblies; and
at least one clamp assembly,
wherein the connecting member is reinforced with a composite material to improve strength and reduce weight.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the connecting member is tubular type.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the steering ball joint assemblies are connected to both sides of the reinforced connecting member.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the connecting member and the steering ball joint assemblies are connected through the clamp assembly.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the steering ball joint assemblies are integral ball joint assemblies without a steering ball joint sleeve.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the connecting member with integral ball joint assemblies is a solid bar formed from a sheet metal.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the solid bar of connecting member and integral ball joint assembly is reinforced with a composite material.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the composite material is selected from glass fiber or plastic binder or carbon fibers or metal fibers or aramid fibers or basalt fibers or a combination thereof.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the steering linkage acts as a fuse in the steering system and allowed to buckle or bend rather than breakage in the event of any extraordinary/abnormal load on linkage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
Figure 1, side view of the steering linkage system according to the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURE
The present invention as herein described relates to a reinforced steering linkage connecting member, which intensifies the strength and reduces the weight.

Referring to Figure 1, illustrates are in forced automotive steering linkage system comprises of at least one connecting member[1]; two or more steering ball joint assemblies [2]and at least one clamp assembly [3]. The connecting member [1] is reinforced with a composite material to improve strength and reduce weight.

The connecting member [1] is of tubular type. The steering ball joint assemblies [2] are connected to both sides of the reinforced connecting member [1]. The connecting member [1] and the steering ball joint assemblies [2] are connected through the clamp assembly [3].

The steering ball joint assemblies [2] are integral ball joint assemblies without a steering ball joint sleeve. The connecting member [1] with integral ball joint assembly [2] is a solid bar type formed from a sheet metal. The solid bar of connecting member [1] and integral ball joint assembly [2] is reinforced with a composite material. The composite material is selected from glass fiber or plastic binder or carbon fibers or metal fibers or aramid fibers or basalt fibers or a combination thereof.

,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A reinforced automotive steering linkage, comprising of:
at least one connecting member [1];
two or more steering ball joint assemblies [2]; and
at least one clamp assembly [3],
wherein the connecting member [1] is reinforced with a composite material to improve strength and reduce weight.

2. The automotive steering linkage as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting member [1] is tubular type.

3. The automotive steering linkage as claimed in claim 1, wherein the steering ball joint assemblies [2] are connected to both sides of the reinforced connecting member [1].

4. The automotive steering linkage as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connecting member [1] and the steering ball joint assemblies [2] are connected through the clamp assembly [3].

5. The automotive steering linkage as claimed in claim 1, wherein the steering ball joint assemblies [2] are integral ball joint assemblies without a steering ball joint sleeve.

6. The automotive steering linkage as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting member [1] with integral ball joint assemblies [2] is a solid bar formed from a sheet metal.

7. The automotive steering linkage as claimed in claim 1 or 6, wherein the solid bar of connecting member [1] and integral ball joint assembly [2] is reinforced with a composite material.

8. The automotive steering linkage as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composite material is selected from glass fiber or plastic binder or carbon fibers or metal fibers or aramid fibers or basalt fibers or a combination thereof.

9. The automotive steering linkage as claimed in claim 1, wherein acts as a fuse in the steering system and allowed to buckle or bend rather than breakage in the event of any extraordinary load.