Claims:We claim:
1. A mechanism (100) for tilting and supporting a vehicle cabin (210) on a frame (220) of a vehicle (200), the mechanism (100) comprising:
a mounting bracket (10), connectable to the frame (220) of the vehicle (200), the mounting bracket (10) comprises a pair of walls (11) spaced apart from one another, wherein, each of the pair of walls (11) is defined with a provision (13);
a pair of ball screw shafts (20), each defined with a threaded portion (21) followed by a flat portion (22), wherein the flat portion (22) of each of the pair of the ball screw shafts (20) is rotatably receivable by at least one of the provision (13) defined on the pair of walls (11);
a hub (30) disposed between the pair of walls (11) and coupled to the flat portion (22) of each of the pair of ball screw shafts (20), wherein the hub (30) is connectable to the vehicle cabin (210);
a pair of screw nuts (40) having a threaded bore extending axially therethrough, each of the pair of screw nuts (40) is receivable by the threaded portion (21) of at least one of the pair of ball screw shafts (20); and
at least one resilient member 50 disposed on each of the pair of ball screw shafts (20) and interposed between the pair of screw nuts (40) and the pair of walls (11), wherein, the at least one resilient member (50) is pre-loaded.

2. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one resilient member (50) is a wave spring.

3. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one resilient member (50) is configured to retain a biasing force sufficient to maintain constant engagement between the pair of screw nuts (40) and the pair of ball screw shafts (20), thereby facilitating axial movement of the pair of screw nuts 40 due to rotation of the pair of ball screw shafts (20).

4. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the pair of ball screw shafts (20) is supported in the provision by a bearing.

5. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein upward tilting of the vehicle cabin (210) rotates the pair of ball screw shafts (20) in a predetermined direction resulting in movement of the pair of screw nuts (40) apart from each other in the axial direction.

6. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein downward tilting of the vehicle cabin (210) rotates the pair of ball screw shafts (20) in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction resulting in movement of the pair of screw nuts (40) towards each other in the axial direction.

7. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the preload of the at least one resilient member (50) balances up to 90 % of the weight of the vehicle cabin (210) at a predetermined range of the downward tilting of the vehicle cabin (210).

8. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of screw nuts (40) apply additional force on the at least one resilient member (50) during movement of the vehicle cabin (210) from the predetermined range to a rest position.

9. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one resilient member (50) stores energy during tilting of the vehicle cabin (210) from the predetermined range to the rest position, and release the stored energy during the upward tilting of the vehicle cabin (210) from the rest position up to the predetermined range.

10. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises at least one stopper mounted on each of the pair of ball screw shaft (20) to restrict the axial movement of the pair of screw nuts (40), during upward titling of the vehicle cabin (210).

11. The mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein length of the at least one resilient member (50) is defined based on weight of the vehicle cabin (210).
, Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively the present disclosure relates to a mechanism for tilting and supporting a vehicle cabin on a frame of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
In general, vehicles such as commercial vehicles like trucks, light duty vehicles, and any other similar vehicles comprises a vehicle cabin which can be tilted. The vehicle cabin in such vehicles may be provided above engine and associated assemblies and may be provided with a tilting mechanism which allows the vehicle cabin to tilt at a certain inclination by simultaneously balancing the weight of the vehicle cabin. The tilting mechanism may be coupled to a frame or chassis of the vehicle. The vehicle cabin may be tilted to carry out maintenance work of engine and any associated components. Conventionally, there exists various types of tilting mechanisms such as hydraulic system either hand actuated or electric motor actuated, electric motor gear mechanism, torsion bar mechanism, and the like. The torsion bar type mechanism may be employed in the vehicles having less weighing vehicle cabin, for example vehicle cabin weighing less than 500kgs. The torsion bar type mechanism may store the energy when the vehicle cabin is operated from tilted position to rest position and may release the energy during lifting. However, angle of the inclination of the vehicle cabin may be constrained due to the length of the torsion bar. Also, the torsion bar type mechanism cannot be employed in the vehicles having heavy weighing vehicle cabins. This may be due to the inherent limitation of length of the torsion bar and titling capacity which can be provided for a given length of the torsion bar.
Typically, the tilting mechanism having hydraulic mechanism may be employed for lifting of heavy weighing vehicle cabins and allowing tilting at various inclinations. The hydraulic mechanism requires continuous pressurized fluid supply to carry out the tilting operation, which may result in hydraulic leaks and high replacement costs. The hydraulic tilting mechanism also requires separate systems to supply the pressurized fluid, thereby making the tilting mechanism bulky. Furthermore, the hydraulic mechanisms are expensive and also high degree of maintenance is required for hydraulic, thereby increasing the capital and operational cost.
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more above limitation stated above or any other limitation associated with the prior arts.
SUMMARY
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of method of the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure envisages a mechanism for tilting and supporting a vehicle cabin on a frame of a vehicle. The mechanism comprises a mounting bracket, a pair of ball screws shafts, a hub, a pair of screw nuts and at least one resilient member.
The mounting bracket is connectable to the frame of the vehicle. The mounting bracket comprises a pair of walls spaced apart from one another. Further, each of the pair of walls is defined with a provision. The pair of ball screws shafts are defined by a threaded portion followed by a flat portion. The flat portion of each of the pair of the ball screw shafts is rotatably receivable by at least one of the provision defined on the pair of walls of the mounting bracket.
Further, a hub is disposed between the pair of walls of the mounting bracket. The hub is coupled to the flat portion of each of the pair of ball screw shafts and is connectable to the vehicle cabin. The pair of screw nuts has a threaded bore extending axially therethrough. Further, each of the pair of screw nuts is receivable by the threaded portion of at least one of the pair of ball screw shafts. The at least one resilient members is disposed on each of the pair of ball screw shafts and is interposed between the pair of screw nuts and the pair of walls. The at least one resilient members is pre-loaded. In an embodiment, the at least one resilient member is a wave spring.
In an embodiment, the at least one resilient member is configured to retain a biasing force sufficient to maintain constant engagement between the pair of screw nuts and the pair of ball screw shafts, thereby facilitating axial movement of the pair of screw nuts due to rotation of the pair of ball screw shafts.
In an embodiment, the each of the pair of ball screw shafts is supported in the provision of the mounting bracket by a bearing.
In an embodiment, during upward tilting of the vehicle cabin, the pair of ball screw shafts rotate in a predetermined direction which results in movement of the pair of screw nuts apart from each other in the axial direction. Further, during downward tilting of the vehicle cabin, the pair of ball screw shafts rotates in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction which results in the movement of the pair of screw nuts towards each other in the axial direction.
In an embodiment, the preloading of the at least one resilient member balances weight of the vehicle cabin at a predetermined range of the downward tilting of the vehicle cabin. The pair of screw nuts apply additional force on the at least one resilient member during movement of the vehicle cabin from the predetermined range to a rest position.

In an embodiment, the at least one resilient member is configured to store energy during tilting of the vehicle cabin from the predetermined range to the rest position. Further, the stored energy is released during the upward tilting of the vehicle cabin i.e., from the rest position to the predetermined range.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one stopper is mounted on each of the pair of ball screw shaft to restrict the axial movement of the pair of screw nuts, during upward titling of the vehicle cabin.

In an embodiment, length of the at least one resilient member is defined based on weight of the vehicle cabin.
It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

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 THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure 1, illustrates a schematic view of a vehicle cabin employed with a mechanism in resting position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2, illustrates a schematic view of the vehicle cabin in a tilted position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3, illustrates a sectional view of the mechanism, when a pair of ball screw nuts move towards each other in axial direction, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4, illustrates a sectional view of the mechanism, when pair of screw nuts move apart from each other in axial direction, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 5, illustrates a front view of at least one mechanism for tilting and supporting mechanism of a vehicle cabin on a frame of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily 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

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other mechanism for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

In the present disclosure, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or process that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or process. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

Referring to, Figure 1 and Figure 2, a vehicle comprises of vehicle cabin which is supported on a frame 220 of the vehicle. The vehicle cabin 210 is provided above an engine and associated assemblies. Further, the vehicle cabin 210 is employed with a mechanism 100 which allows the vehicle cabin to be in resting position and in tilted position. The vehicle cabin 210 is tilted mainly to carry out any maintenance work of engine and associated components. Figure 1, illustrates a schematic view of a vehicle cabin employed with a mechanism in resting position, and Figure 2, illustrates a schematic view of the vehicle cabin in tilted position.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mechanism for tilting and supporting a vehicle cabin on a frame of a vehicle. The mechanism for tilting and supporting the vehicle cabin of present disclosure has simple and compact configuration. Further, the mechanism is less bulky and eliminates high degree of maintenance. Now referring to Figure. 3 which is an exemplary embodiment disclosure illustrating a mechanism 100. The mechanism 100 may be mounted on the frame 220 of the vehicle 200. The mechanism 100 includes a mounting bracket 10 which is connectable to the frame 220 of the vehicle 200. In an embodiment, the mounting bracket 10 may include a base plate 12 supported on the frame 220. The base plate 12 may either permanently fixed or removably through thermal or mechanical joining techniques. As an example, the base plate 12 may be connected to the frame 220 of the vehicle 200 through one or more fastening elements. The mounting bracket 10 is defined by a pair of walls 11 which are spaced apart from one another. The pair of walls 11 may extend on either ends of the base plate 12, and may be joined to the base plate 12. In an embodiment, each of the pair of walls 11 may be fixed to the base plate 12 through a fastening member. Each pair of the walls 11 may be defined with a provision 13. In an embodiment, the provision 13 has a circular cross-section.
The mechanism 100 further comprises a pair of ball screw shafts 20 which are receivable in the provision 13 configured within the mounting bracket 10. Further, each of the ball screw shafts 20 is defined with a threaded portion 21 followed by a flat portion 22. The flat portion 22 of each of the pair of the ball screw shafts 20 is rotatably receivable by at least one of the provision 13 defined within the pair of walls 11 of the mounting bracket 10.
In an embodiment, each of the pair of the ball screw shafts 20 is rotatably supported in the provision 13 of the mounting bracket 10 by means of a bearing.
The mechanism 100 includes a hub 30 that is disposed between the pair of walls 11 of the mounting bracket 10. Further, the hub 10 is coupled to the flat portion 22 of each of the pair of ball screw shafts 20. In an embodiment, the hub 30 is defined with a key way, and it is adapted to receive flat portions 22 of the pair of the ball screw shafts 20 through a common key 31. The hub 30 may be configured to connect the vehicle cabin 210 and the mechanism 100. In an embodiment, the hub 30 and the vehicle cabin 210 are connectable through a plurality of mounting bolts. The vehicle cabin 210 is mounted eccentrically with respect to the centre of axis of ball screw shafts 20, which facilitates balancing of the weight of the vehicle cabin during the rotation of the ball screw shafts 20.
Further, the mechanism 100 comprises a pair of screw nuts 40 having a threaded bore extending therethrough. The threads configured in the bore of the pair of screw nuts 40 are complementary to the threaded portion 21 of the pair of the ball screw shafts 20, and may accommodate a plurality of balls [not shown] thereby providing suitable engagement of pair of screw nuts 40 and the pair of the ball screw shafts 20.
Furthermore, the mechanism 100 includes at least one resilient members 50, wherein the resilient members 50 are disposed on the each of the pair of the ball screw shafts 20. The resilient members 50 are interposed between each of the pair of screw nuts 40 and the each of the pair of the walls 11 of the mounting bracket 10. The resilient members 50 are disposed along the periphery of the ball screw shafts 20 and may be arranged in series. Further, the resilient members 50 are pre-loaded. The resilient members 50 are pre-loaded to a pre-determined length using a pre-loading fixture (not shown in the figures).
The resilient members 50 used in the present disclosure may be selected from the group consisting of coil springs, belleville springs, finger springs and wave springs. In an embodiment, the resilient member 50 is a wave spring. Application of the wave springs accommodates higher thrust load within an axial direction of the ball screw shafts 20. In an embodiment, the resilient members 50 provides reduced wear and tear, when the mechanism 100 is subjected to high torsional load and twisting due to the rotation of the ball screw shafts 20 while tilting the vehicle cabin 210.
Further, the at least one resilient members 50 of the present disclosure is configured to retain a biasing force sufficient to maintain constant engagement between the pair of screw nuts 40 and the pair of ball screw shafts 20. Also, ensures axial movement of the pair of screw nuts 40 due to rotation of the pair the ball screw shafts 20
In an operative configuration, during an upward tilting of the vehicle cabin 210 about a horizontal plane, the ball screw shafts 20 are configured to rotate in a predetermined direction, thereby resulting in movement of the pair of screw nuts 40 apart from each other in the axial direction, as illustrated in Figure 4. In an embodiment, the pre-determined direction during the upwards tilting of the vehicle cabin 210 may be clockwise direction. However, during the downward tilting of the vehicle cabin 210, the pair of ball screw shafts 20 are configured to rotate in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction resulting in movement of the pair of screw nuts 40 towards each other in the axial direction, as illustrated in Figure 3.
Further, due to the movement of pair of screw nuts 40 in the axial direction, an axial thrust may be imparted on the resilient members 50. Furthermore, the pair of screw nuts 40 apply additional force on resilient members 50 during the movement of the vehicle cabin 210 from a predetermined range to a rest position. In an embodiment, the rest position of the mechanism 100 is defined when the resilient members 50 are in preloaded condition, wherein the vehicle cabin 210 is in the horizontal plane. The resilient members 50 are configured to store energy during tilting of the vehicle cabin 210 from the predetermined range to the rest position, and further configured to release the stored energy during the upward tilting of the vehicle cabin 210 from the rest position up to the predetermined range.

In an embodiment, the vehicle cabin 210 may be tilted up to 45 degrees, and the predetermined range may be defined by the upward tilting of the vehicle cabin 210 that may range 20 degrees to 25 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. In another embodiment, the upward tilting of the vehicle cabin 210 beyond predetermined range (20 degrees to 25 degrees) is carried out by applying an external force on the vehicle cabin 210. After tilting the vehicle cabin 210 to a desired range, the vehicle cabin 210 may be constrained by a stay rod, or any other holding element which facilitates holding of the vehicle cabin 210 to the desired range. Further, after the constrain is detached, the vehicle cabin 210 is configured to retract due to self -weight of the vehicle cabin until it reaches the predetermined range (20 degrees to 25 degrees). Further, external force may be applied on vehicle cabin 210 to bring the vehicle cabin 210 to the rest position. In an embodiment, the external force required for upward tilting and downward tilting of the vehicle cabin 210 is proportional to a spring rate of the resilient members 50.

Further, the pre-load of the resilient members 50 are configured to balance up to 90 % of the weight of the vehicle cabin 210 at the predetermined range of the downward tilting of the vehicle cabin 210. More specifically, the length of the resilient members 50 to be disposed on the pair ball screw shafts 20 of the mechanism 100 is defined based on the weight of the vehicle cabin 210 to be tilted.

For Example:
Considering,
• Weight of vehicle cabin (W) = 600 kgf;
• Distance of centre of gravity of the vehicle cabin from
centre of axis of ball screw shafts (X_CG) = 1 meter;
• Distance of point of application of effort from
centre of axis of ball screw shafts (X_Effort) = 2 meter;
• Length of the resilient members (Lo-L) = 140 mm x 2;
(Free length of wave springs (Lo); Preloaded length of wave springs(L))
• Angle of tilt (Theta) = 45 degrees;
• Lead of ball screw shaft (Lead) = 10 mm;
So,
Work done due to weight of cabin = Torque x Angle
={(“W”) x (9.81) x (“X_CG”)} x {(3.14) x (“Theta”) /(180)}
= 4620 Joules
Axial Thrust produced = (4620 x 1000) / (Lo-L)
= 16500 Newton
Therefore,
Axial spring rate required (K) = 16500/140 = 118 Newton/mm
And,
Effort required to tilt the cabin (F) = {((Lead)/(360/Theta)) x K x 2} / {(3.14 x Theta/180) x 2}
= 187 Newton
Therefore, from the above calculations the external force required to tilt the vehicle cabin 210 depends on spring rate of the resilient members 50, wherein the spring rate of the resilient members 50 depends upon the length of the resilient members 50 disposed on the screw shafts 20.
In an embodiment, the size, configuration of the components mechanism 100, and the length of the resilient members 50, can be varied according to the application requirement.
In another embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 5, at least one mechanism of the present disclosure can be mounted on the frame 220 of the vehicle 200 depending upon the weight of the vehicle cabin 210.
In an exemplary embodiment, the mechanism 100 comprises at least one stopper (not shown in figures) mounted on each end of the pair of ball screw shafts 20 to restrict the axial movement of the pair of screw nuts 40, during upward titling of the vehicle cabin 210.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a mechanism that is simple to operate and compact, easy to install configuration.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a cost-effective solution, improves operational reliability, and is easy to manufacture as it has minimum number of parts.
The mechanism of the present disclosure is less bulky and reduces high level of maintenance.
The mechanism of the present disclosure eliminates the usage of any pressurised fluid / hydraulic oils to carry out tilting mechanism.
The mechanism of the present disclosure can accommodate tilting and supporting of a vehicle cabin of variable loads.
The mechanism of the present disclosure eliminates the pre-load setting of resilient members on production line.
The mechanism of the present disclosure provides tilting of the vehicle cabin to carry engine related maintenance work.
In the 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 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.

Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
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 inventions 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.
In addition, 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 a 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 a 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.”
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals
Reference Number Description
100 Mechanism
10 Mounting bracket
11 A pair of walls
12 Base plate
13 Provision
20 A pair of ball screw shafts
21 Threaded portion
22 Flat portion
30 Hub
31 Key
40 A pair of screw nuts
50 Resilient member
200 Vehicle
210 Vehicle cabin
220 Frame