DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to steering systems in vehicles and more particularly, to a casing assembly and a method for sealing steering linkages in a steering system of a vehicle, which isolates steering linkages from water, mud and other foreign particles, and also accommodates the movement of steering linkages during operation of the steering system.
BACKGROUND
[002] A steering connecting tie rod assembly, and a steering fork and radial ball joint assembly in a steering system of an agricultural vehicle is collectively called as a steering knuckle joint assembly which is used to transmit the steering force to vehicle wheels. The steering knuckle joint assembly is visible on outside and is subjected to water and mud contamination that leads to rusting of the steering knuckle joint assembly which in turn results in failure of the steering knuckle joint assembly thereby increasing steering effort of operator who is driving the agricultural vehicle.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a casing assembly and a method for sealing steering linkages in a steering system of a vehicle, which obviates aforementioned drawbacks. Further, there exists a need a casing assembly for accommodating movement of the steering linkages during operation of a steering system of a vehicle.
OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment herein is to provide a casing assembly for sealing steering linkages and to accommodate movement of the steering linkages during operation of a steering system of a vehicle.
[005] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a casing assembly for sealing for steering linkages in a steering system of a vehicle, which isolates the steering linkages from water, mud and other foreign particles thereby increasing life of the steering linkages, where the steering linkages includes a steering connecting tie rod assembly, and a steering fork and radial ball joint assembly which are jointly called as steering knuckle joint assembly.
[006] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a method for sealing the steering linkages, and accommodating the movements of steering linkages during operation of the steering system of a vehicle.
[007] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[008] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[009] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of an agricultural vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0010] Fig. 2 depicts a top view of a casing assembly being provided between a steering connecting tie rod assembly, and a steering fork and radial ball joint assembly in the steering system of the agricultural vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0011] Fig. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the casing assembly, the steering connecting tie rod assembly and the steering fork and radial ball joint assembly, according to the embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0012] Fig. 4 depicts a perspective view of the casing assembly, according to the embodiment as disclosed herein; and
[0013] Fig. 5 depicts a flowchart showing the steps of a method for sealing steering linkages, and accommodating the movements of the steering linkages during operation of the steering system of an agricultural vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0015] The embodiments herein achieve a casing assembly for sealing steering linkages in a steering system of a vehicle, which accommodates the movements of the steering linkages during operation of the steering system and isolates the steering linkages from water, mud and other foreign particles thereby increasing the life of the steering linkages, where the steering linkages includes a steering connecting tie rod assembly, and a steering fork and radial ball joint assembly which are jointly called as steering knuckle joint assembly. Referring now to the drawings Figs 1 through 5, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0016] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of an agricultural vehicle (V), according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The agricultural vehicle (V, hereinafter called as vehicle) includes a steering system (S), a plurality of wheels (W), a casing assembly (100) and may include other standard components, mechanisms and systems as present in a standard agricultural vehicle. The steering system (S) includes a steering wheel (not shown), a steering column assembly (not shown) and other standard components as present in a standard steering system. Fig. 2 depicts a top view of a casing assembly (100) being provided between a steering connecting tie rod assembly (C), and a steering fork and radial ball joint assembly (F) in the steering system (S) of the vehicle (V), according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the steering linkages (C and F) in the steering system (S) of the vehicle (V) include a steering connecting tie rod assembly (C), and a steering fork and radial ball joint assembly (F) which are collectively called as steering knuckle joint assembly (C and F). In an embodiment, the casing assembly (100) is provided between the steering connecting tie rod assembly (C) and the steering fork and radial ball joint assembly (F) to isolate the steering linkages (C and F) from water, mud and other foreign particles thereby increasing the life of the steering linkages (C and F) when the vehicle (V) is operated in agricultural fields. The casing assembly (100) is used to accommodate the angular movement and the linear movement of the steering linkages (C and F). In an embodiment, the casing assembly (100) for sealing steering linkages (C and F), includes a flexible casing (102), a first sealing element (104F), a second sealing element (104S), a top cover (106) and a lubricant (not shown). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the casing assembly (100) is explained herein below with reference to be provided between the steering connecting tie rod assembly (C) and the steering fork and radial ball joint assembly (F) in a steering system (S) of an agricultural vehicle (V). However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the casing assembly (100) between any other steering linkages or any other power transmission components or any other moving components in any of an off-road vehicle, a constructional vehicle, agricultural vehicle and any other type of vehicle without otherwise deterring the intended function of the casing assembly (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0017] Fig. 4 depicts a perspective view of the casing assembly (100), according to the embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the flexible casing (102) is used to seal the steering linkages (C and F) and to accommodate the movement of the steering linkages (C and F) during operation of the steering system (S). In an embodiment, the flexible casing (102) includes a plurality of extending and retracting portions (102F) adapted to move between an extended position and a retracted position to accommodate movement of the steering linkages (C and F) during operation of the steering system (S). For example, the flexible casing (102) is adapted to angularly move at an angle ranging between -60 degree to +60 degree with respect to a hinge point (H) of the steering fork and radial ball joint assembly (F) to accommodate movement of the steering linkages (C and F, steering knuckle joint assembly) based on turning of wheels (W) of the vehicle (V) and the steering geometry of the vehicle (V). It is also within the scope of the embodiments herein to provide the flexible casing (102) to move at any other angles according to the any other variable steering geometry of the vehicle. Further, the flexible casing (102) is adapted to accommodate the linear movement of the steering linkages (C and F). The flexible casing (102) includes a fastener receiving portion (102B) adapted to receive a fastener (B) (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2) therethrough to connect the steering connecting tie rod assembly (C) with the steering fork and radial ball joint assembly (F).
[0018] The first sealing element (104F) is adapted to seal a first end (102x) of the flexible casing (102). The second sealing element (104S) is adapted to seal a second end (102y) of said flexible casing (102).
[0019] The top cover (106) is adapted to cover a portion between the flexible casing (102) and the fastener (B). The lubricant is adapted to be accommodated inside the flexible casing (102).
[0020] Fig. 5 depicts a flowchart showing the steps of a method (200) for sealing steering linkages (C and F), and accommodating the movements of the steering linkages (C and F) during operation of the steering system (S) of a vehicle (V), according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the method (200) includes sealing said steering linkages (C and F) through a casing assembly (100), where said casing assembly (100) comprises a flexible casing (102), and accommodating a movement of said steering linkages (C and F) by extending and retracting said flexible casing (102) by providing said flexible casing (102) with a plurality of extending and retracting portions (102F). Further, the method step of sealing said steering linkages (C and F) through a casing assembly (100), where said casing assembly (100) comprises a flexible casing (102) comprises, sealing a first end (102x) of said flexible casing (102) through a first sealing element (104F). Further, the method step of sealing said steering linkages (C and F) through a casing assembly (100), where said casing assembly (100) comprises a flexible casing (102) comprises, sealing a second end (102y) of the flexible casing (102) through a second sealing element (104S). Further, the method step of sealing said steering linkages (C and F) through a casing assembly (100), where said casing assembly (100) comprises a flexible casing (102) comprises, providing the flexible casing (102) with a fastener receiving portion (102B) which receives a fastener (B) adapted to connect the steering linkages (C and F). Furthermore, the method step of sealing said steering linkages (C and F) through a casing assembly (100), where said casing assembly (100) comprises a flexible casing (102) comprises, sealing a portion between the fastener (B) and the flexible casing (102) through a top cover (106); and accommodating a lubricant inside the flexible casing (102).
[0021] Therefore, a casing assembly (100) for sealing steering linkages (C and F,) and to accommodate movement of the steering linkages (C and F) during operation of steering system (S) of a vehicle (V) is provided. Further, a method (200) for sealing steering linkages (C and F) in a steering system (S) of a vehicle (V) is provided.
[0022] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A casing assembly (100) for sealing steering linkages (C and F) in a steering system (S) of a vehicle (V), said casing assembly (100) comprising:
a flexible casing (102) adapted to seal said steering linkages (C and F);
wherein,
said flexible casing (102) includes a plurality of extending and retracting portions (102F) adapted to move between an extended position and a retracted position to accommodate movement of said steering linkages (C and F) during operation of said steering system (S).
2. The casing assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible casing (102) includes a fastener receiving portion (102B) adapted to receive a fastener (B) therethrough to connect a steering connecting tie rod assembly (C) with a steering fork and radial ball joint assembly (F).
3. The casing assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a top cover (106) adapted to cover a portion between said flexible casing (102) and said fastener (B).
4. The casing assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a first sealing element (104F) adapted to seal a first end (102x) of said flexible casing (102)
5. The casing assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a second sealing element (104S) adapted to seal a second end (102y) of said flexible casing (102).
6. The casing assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a lubricant adapted to be accommodated inside said flexible casing (102).
7. The casing assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said flexible casing (102) is adapted to angularly move at an angle ranging between -60 degree to +60 degree with respect to a hinge point H of said steering fork and radial ball joint assembly F to accommodate movement of said steering linkages (C and F).
8. The casing assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible casing (102) is adapted to accommodate a linear movement of said steering linkages (C and F).
9. A method (200) for sealing steering linkages (C and F) in a steering system (S) of a vehicle (V), said method (200) comprising:
sealing said steering linkages (C and F) through a casing assembly (100), where said casing assembly (100) comprises a flexible casing (102);
sealing a first end (102x) of said flexible casing (102) through a first sealing element (104F);
sealing a second end (102y) of said flexible casing (102) through a second sealing element (104S);
providing said flexible casing (102) with a fastener receiving portion (102B) which receives a fastener (B) adapted to connect said steering linkages (C and F);
sealing a portion between said fastener (B) and said flexible casing (102) through a top cover (106);
accommodating a lubricant inside said flexible casing (102); and
accommodating a movement of said steering linkages (C and F) by extending and retracting said flexible casing (102) by providing said flexible casing (102) with a plurality of extending and retracting portions (102F).