Description:A BRACKET STRUCTURE FOR MOUNTING A STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ON A STEERING ROD

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter described herein relates to a steering wheel of a vehicle. The present invention is particularly related to a bracket structure for mounting a steering angle sensor on a steering rod of a vehicle to achieve clearances for easier passenger leg movement in case of egress and ingress from the vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present subject matter. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] In existing structures, the steering column consists of peripheral parts such as a steering wheel, a combination switch and a steering lock.
[0004] Further, it is necessary to monitor the absolute position of the steering wheel. Therefore, a steering angle sensor is used to detect the position of the steering wheel upon rotation. Therefore, in the existing structures, the steering angle sensor is mounted over the steering column with the help of a contact coil in between; as the contact coil is used for the operation of air bags in the vehicles.
[0005] The current steering column cover does not have enough space to accommodate the steering sensor without increasing size of the steering column cover.
[0006] Further, the steering angle sensor is too big to fit on the steering cover. Therefore, the space that houses the peripheral parts on the steering cover is also increased. Further, increasing the space to make room for accommodating the steering angle sensor makes less room for the driver to comfortably sit in front of the steering wheel as the steering cover always remains in close contact with the knee of the driver
[0007] Therefore, to overcome the problem, the car layout can be changed such as Instrument Panel (IP) can be pushed backward, the inclination of the steering column can be changed, or the driver’s seat can be pushed backward to create a gap. But this would not be feasible as it would lead to an increase in parts and development costs in case of existing vehicles.
[0008] It is therefore desirable to provide an ergonomic design that effectively utilizes the same space in a more effective manner.

OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0009] It forms an object of the present disclosure to overcome the aforementioned problem and other drawbacks/limitations in the existing solutions available in the form of related prior arts.
[0010] It is a primary object of the present disclosure to provide a bracket structure that utilizes the given space to effectively mount a steering angle sensor.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a design that accommodates clearances for easier passenger leg movement in case of egress and ingress from the vehicle.
[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a cost-effective solution to achieve the above objectives.
[0013] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.

SUMMARY
[0014] A solution to one or more drawbacks of existing technology and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.
[0015] The present disclosure provides a solution in the form of a bracket structure for mounting a steering angle sensor on a steering rod of a vehicle. The bracket structure includes a U-shaped bracket member having a horizontal base, a first vertical portion and a second vertical portion extending from transverse edges of the horizontal base in a same direction, respectively and an angled portion extends outwardly away from the first vertical portion and the second vertical portion respectively.
[0016] In an aspect, the first vertical portion and the second vertical portion extend at an angle from the transverse edges of the horizontal base
[0017] In an aspect, the bracket structure comprises an L-shaped portion that extends outwardly away from each of longitudinal edges of the horizontal base.
[0018] In an aspect, a mounting flange extends perpendicularly outward away from longitudinal edge of each of the L-shaped portions in direction of the first vertical portion and the second vertical portion.
[0019] In an aspect, a mounting portion extend from each of the angled portion of the first vertical portion and the second vertical portion.
[0020] In an aspect, the horizontal base of the U-shaped bracket member defines a circular cavity.
[0021] In an aspect, a plurality of mounting holes are defined on the horizontal base of the U-shaped bracket member, where two of the mounting holes act as guiding holes to mount the housing of the steering angle sensor.
[0022] In an aspect, each of the mounting flanges has a fastening hole to mount a column cover by means of fasteners.
[0023] In an aspect, a cut profile defining a C-shape is provided at corner of between the vertical portion and the horizontal base, the cut profile is provided to accommodate housing of the steering angle sensor.
[0024] In an aspect, a longitudinal distance (d) is defined in between the first vertical portion and the second vertical portion, and a longitudinal distance (D) is defined in between the mounting portions, where the longitudinal distance (D) is greater than the longitudinal distance (d).
[0025] In an aspect, the mounting portion defines a U-shaped cutout in between the pair of mounting holes.
[0026] In an aspect, the mounting portion extend in a parallel direction of the first vertical portion and the second vertical portion.
[0027] In an aspect, the horizontal base defines a longitudinal bead.
[0028] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0029] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0030] Fig. 1a illustrates a perspective view of the bracket structure according to the present disclosure;
[0031] Fig. 1b illustrates a bottom view of the bracket structure according to the present disclosure;
[0032] Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of the bracket structure according to the present disclosure;
[0033] Fig. 3 illustrates a front view of the bracket structure according to the present disclosure;
[0034] Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a steering rod inserted in the bracket structure according to the present disclosure;
[0035] Fig. 5a illustrates an assembly of a column housing, the steering rod, a combination switch housing and a steering angle sensor around the bracket structure according to the present disclosure;
[0036] Fig. 5b illustrates an assembly of the steering angle sensor around the bracket structure according to the present disclosure.
[0037] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0038] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to communicate the disclosure. However, the details provided herein are not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0039] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0040] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0041] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0042] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration of specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0043] Hereinafter, a description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, varieties of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0044] The present invention discloses a bracket structure for mounting a steering angle sensor, a column cover, and a combination switch on a steering column. The bracket structure is designed with features for accommodating clearances for easier passenger leg movement in case of egress and ingress from the vehicle.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 1a, shows a bracket structure (100) defining a U-shaped bracket member (101). The U-shaped bracket member (101) has a horizontal base (102).
[0046] A first vertical portion (103a) and a second vertical portion (103b) extend from transverse edges (111a, 111b) of the horizontal base (102) in the same direction. Further, the first vertical portion (103a) and the second vertical portion (103b) are parallel to each other.
[0047] Continuing from the first vertical portion (103a) and the second vertical portion (103b), angled portions (104a, 104b) are given. The angled portion (104a, 104b) extends outwardly away from the first vertical portion (103a) and the second vertical portion (103b). Each angled portion (104a, 104b) is inclined and extend in opposite directions from each other.
[0048] Further, the mounting portions (105a, 105b) continue to extend from the angled portions (104a, 104b). The mounting portions (105a, 105b) extend in a parallel direction with the first vertical portion (103a) and the second vertical portion (103b) from each of the angled portion (104a, 104b) of the first vertical portion (103a) and the second vertical portion (103b).
[0049] The mounting portions (105a, 105b) define a U-shaped cutout. In between a pair of mounting holes (109a, 109b, 109c, 109d), the U-shaped cutouts (112a, 112b) are provided on both sides.
[0050] With the inclusion of the mounting portion (105a, 105b) on the bracket structure (100), the bracket structure (100) is given a tapered profile to incorporate the steering angle sensor and the combination switch in the given space.
[0051] On the longitudinal edges (106a, 106b) of the horizontal base (102) an L-shaped portion (107a, 107b) is provided that extends outwardly away from each of longitudinal edges (106a, 106b) that are a part of the horizontal base (102).
[0052] Referring to FIG. 1b, the column cover mounting location is disclosed. The horizontal base (102) has longitudinal edges (106a, 106b) and from each of the longitudinal edges (106a, 106b), the L-shaped portion (107a, 107b) is provided. The L-shaped portion (107a, 107b) extends outwardly away from each of the longitudinal edges (106a, 106b) of the horizontal base (102).
[0053] The L-shaped portions (106b) are provided closer to one of the first vertical portion (103a) or the second vertical portion (103b).
[0054] Further, a mounting flange (108a, 108b) is provided that continues from the L-shaped portion (107a, 107b). The mounting flange (108a, 108b) extends perpendicularly outward away from the longitudinal edge (106a, 106b) of each of the L-shaped portions (107a, 107b) in a direction of the first vertical portion (103a) and the second vertical portion (103b).
[0055] Also, the mounting flanges (108a, 108b) define a pair of mounting holes (110a, 110b) where each mounting hole (110a, 110b) is transversely spaced apart from each other.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 2, a circular cavity (201) is provided in the center of the horizontal base (102) of the U-shaped bracket member (101) to receive a steering rod (401) (as provided in FIG.4). The horizontal base (102) also has a longitudinal bead (204) for rigidity.
[0057] Further, a plurality of mounting holes (202a, 202b, 203c, 202d, 202e) is given on the horizontal base (102) of the U-shaped bracket member (101). The mounting holes (202a, 202b, 202c) are provided side by side to each other on side of the horizontal base (102). While the other mounting holes (202d, 202e) are provided on the other side of the horizontal base (102) and are also located side by side to each other.
[0058] Furthermore, the mounting holes (202b, 202d) act as guiding holes to mount the housing of the steering angle sensor.
[0059] Also, on one corner between the vertical portion (103b) and the horizontal base (102), a cut profile (203) is provided. The cut profile (203) defines a C-shape and is provided to accommodate the housing of the steering angle sensor. The C-shape of the cut profile (203) also helps in maintaining clearances between other parts of the steering column.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 3, a longitudinal distance (d) is defined in between the first vertical portion (103a) and the second vertical portion (103b) and a longitudinal distance (D) is defined in between the between the mounting portions (105a, 105b). Both of the first and second vertical portions (103a, 103b) and the mounting portions (105a, 105b) are spaced apart by the angled portion (104a, 104b) where the longitudinal distance (D) is greater than the longitudinal distance (d).
Assembly of the present invention
[0061] Referring to FIG. 4, the bracket structure (100) is moved downwards on the steering column shaft from the position as given in the existing design. The circumference of the circular cavity (201) (as provided in FIG. 2) matches with that of the circumference of the steering rod (401) so as to seamlessly receive the steering rod (401) inside the circular cavity (201) (as provided in FIG. 2).
[0062] The L-shaped portion (107a, 107b) of the U-shaped bracket member (101) that is extending outwardly away from each of the longitudinal edges (106a, 106b) of the horizontal base (102) has mounting flanges (108a, 108b) extend perpendicularly outward away from each of the L-shaped portions (107a, 107b). The mounting flanges (108a, 108b) have fastening holes (110a, 110b) to mount the column cover (501) (as given in FIG. 5a) by means of fasteners.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 1a and FIG. 5a, Further, on the mounting portion (105a, 105b) that is extended in the parallel direction of the first vertical portion (103a) and the second vertical portion (103b) from each of the angled portions (104a, 104b) of the first vertical portion (103a) and the second vertical portion (103b) is provided to receive and mount with the combination switch (502). The combination switch (502) is mounted on the pair of mounting holes (109a, 109b, 109c, 109d) that are transversely spaced apart from each other.
[0064] The column cover (501) is mounted on the mounting flanges (108a, 108b) by means of fasteners.
[0065] Referring FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b, further, there are the plurality of mounting holes (202a, 202b, 203c, 202d, 202e) that are provided on the horizontal base (102) of the U-shaped bracket member (101). The two mounting holes (202b, 202d) act as guiding holes to mount the housing of the steering angle sensor (503) on the U-shaped bracket member (101).

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0066] With the help of the solution as proposed herein in the context of the present disclosure, the clearance between the passenger leg and the column housing is maintained in case of egress and ingress from the vehicle.
[0067] In the existing design, the L-shaped members that are used to mount the column cover are integrated in the present invention and thus save space.
[0068] The present invention is cost-effective.
[0069] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to disclosures containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. Also, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0070] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present disclosure contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the disclosure, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. Also, while a feature of the present disclosure may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present disclosure. The present disclosure also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature. , Claims:We claim:
1. A bracket structure (100) for mounting a steering angle sensor on a steering rod (401) of a vehicle, the bracket structure (100) comprises:
a U-shaped bracket member (101) having a horizontal base (102), a first vertical portion (103a) and a second vertical portion (103b) extending from transverse edges (111a, 111b) of the horizontal base (102) in a same direction, respectively; and
an angled portion (104a, 104b) extends outwardly away from the first vertical portion (103a) and the second vertical portion (103b) respectively.
2. The bracket structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first vertical portion (103a) and the second vertical portion (103b) extend at an angle from the transverse edges (111a, 111b) of the horizontal base (102).
3. The bracket structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket structure comprises an L-shaped portion (107a, 107b) that extends outwardly away from each of longitudinal edges (106a, 106b) of the horizontal base (102).
4. The bracket structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein a mounting flange (108a, 108b) that extends perpendicularly outward away from longitudinal edge of each of the L-shaped portions (107a, 107b) in direction of the first vertical portion (103a) and the second vertical portion (103b).
5. The bracket structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mounting portion (105a, 105b) extend from each of the angled portion (104a, 104b) of the first vertical portion (103a) and the second vertical portion (103b).
6. The bracket structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal base (102) of the U-shaped bracket member (101) defines a circular cavity (201).
7. The bracket structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of mounting holes (202a, 202b, 203c, 202d, 202e) are defined on the horizontal base (102) of the U-shaped bracket member (101), where two of the mounting holes (202b, 202d) act as guiding holes to mount the housing of the steering angle sensor.
8. The bracket structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the mounting flange (108a, 108b) has a fastening hole (110a, 110b) to mount a column cover (501) by means of fasteners.
9. The bracket structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cut profile (203) defining a C-shape is provided at a corner between the vertical portion (103b) and the horizontal base (102), the cut profile (203) is provided to accommodate housing of the steering angle sensor (503).
10. The bracket structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a longitudinal distance (d) is defined in between the first vertical portion (103a) and the second vertical portion (103b) and a longitudinal distance (D) is defined in between the mounting portions (105a, 105b), where the longitudinal distance (D) is greater than the longitudinal distance (d).
11. The bracket structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein the mounting portion (105a, 105b) defines a U-shaped cutout (112a, 112b) in between the pair of mounting holes (109a, 109b, 109c, 109d).
12. The bracket structure as claimed in claim 11, wherein the mounting portion (105a, 105b) extend in a parallel direction of the first vertical portion (103a) and the second vertical portion (103b).
13. The bracket structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal base (102) defines a longitudinal bead (204).