TECHNICAL FIELD
The embodiments herein relate to a steering control arrangement for a vehicle having a plurality of driving positions. Further, embodiments herein relate to a method for changing steering position according to driving position in a vehicle. 5
BACKGROUND
Vehicles such as tractor or other similar vehicles are primarily used in agricultural field operations. Steering system of a vehicle is used to control a directional change in the movement of the vehicle and maintain the vehicle in a position as per the decision of a driver driving the vehicle. 10 Providing a steering control arrangement for a vehicle having multiple driving positions is difficult and is one of the challenges posed to the original equipment manufacturers (OEM). Further, the steering arrangement of conventional tractors has a fixed steering geometry which in turn restricts the flexibility of vehicle to change driving positions for 15 different applications and implements.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a steering control arrangement for a vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks. Further, there exists a need for a steering control arrangement for an agricultural vehicle, which has variable steering geometry that obviates the 20 aforementioned drawback. Furthermore, there exists a need for a method for changing steering position according to driving position in a vehicle.
OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a steering control arrangement for a vehicle, which is configured to 25 be provided in at least one of a first position corresponding to a first driving position in the vehicle, and a second position corresponding to a second driving position in the vehicle.
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[005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method for changing steering position according to driving position in a vehicle.
[006] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a steering control arrangement for a vehicle, which provides 5 flexibility to vary steering angle at driver end to meet desired turning radius by optimizing leverage to steering effort ratio.
[007] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be 10 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 15 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 the various figures. The embodiments herein will be 20 better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[009] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of a steering control arrangement for a vehicle, where the steering control arrangement is in a first position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed 25 herein;
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[0010] Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of the steering control arrangement provided in a second position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0011] Fig. 3 depicts a side view of the steering control arrangement in the first position corresponding to a first driving position in the vehicle, 5 according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] Fig. 4 depicts a side view of the steering control arrangement in the second position corresponding to a second driving position in the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and 10
[0013] Fig. 5 depicts a flowchart showing the steps of a method for changing steering position according to driving position in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.
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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-5 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 10 should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0015] The embodiments herein achieve a steering control arrangement for a vehicle, which is configured to be provided in at least one of a first position corresponding to a first driving position in the vehicle, and a second position corresponding to a second driving position in 15 the vehicle. Further, embodiments herein achieve a steering control arrangement for a vehicle, which provides flexibility to vary steering angle at driver end to meet desired turning radius by optimizing leverage to steering effort ratio. Furthermore, embodiments herein achieve a method for changing steering position according to driving position in a vehicle. 20 Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to 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 a steering control arrangement 100 for a vehicle, where the steering control arrangement 100 25 is in a first position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of the steering control arrangement 100 provided in a second position, according to an
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embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The steering control arrangement 100 is adapted to control a directional change in the movement of the vehicle and maintain the vehicle in a position as per the decision of a user driving the vehicle. In an embodiment, the steering control arrangement 100 is configured to be provided in at least one of a first 5 position corresponding to a first driving position in the vehicle (as shown in fig. 3), and a second position corresponding to a second driving position in the vehicle (as shown in fig. 4). In an embodiment, the steering control arrangement 100 includes a steering control means 102, a first steering column 104, a second steering column 106, a first steering shaft 108, a 10 second steering shaft 110, a first lever 112, a second lever 114, a lever connecting means 116, a check nut 118, a steering drop arm 120, another checknut 118A, a main pillar P and a mounting bracket B. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the steering control arrangement 100 is explained herein below with reference to be provided in 15 an agricultural vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to implement/practice the steering control arrangement 100 in an off-road vehicle, any other type of vehicle, a machine, a tiller machine and an agricultural machine without otherwise deterring the intended function of the steering control arrangement 100 as can be deduced from the 20 description and corresponding drawings.
[0017] The first position of the steering control arrangement 100 is defined as “a plurality of arms 102a (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 3) of the steering control means 102 are positioned towards an operator seat S (as shown in fig. 3) which is at a first seating position Sf (as shown in fig. 3), 25 and correspondingly the lever connecting means 116 is provided in an extended position corresponding to the first driving position”, where the operator engages the arms 102a of the steering control means 102 to steer the vehicle from the first driving position. The first driving position in the
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vehicle is defined as “operator operates and drives the vehicle from the first seating position Sf (as shown in fig. 3) which is at a rear-end of the vehicle.
[0018] The second position of the steering control arrangement 100 is defined as “the plurality of arms 102a (as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 4) of the steering control means 102 are positioned towards the operator’s seat S 5 (as shown in fig. 4) which is at a second seating position Sr (as shown in fig. 4), and correspondingly the lever connecting means 116 is provided in a retracted position corresponding to the second driving position ”, where the operator engages the arms 102a of the steering control means 102 to steer the vehicle from the second driving position. The second driving 10 position in the vehicle is defined as “operator operates and drives the vehicle from the second seating position Sr (as shown in fig. 4) which is at a front end of the vehicle”, where the second seating position Sr is opposite to the first seating position Sf.
[0019] The steering control means 102 includes a plurality of arms 15 102a adapted to be engaged by the user to steer the vehicle. The steering control means 102 is connected to the first steering shaft 108 and adapted to be moved between the first position corresponding to the first driving position, in which the arms 102a of the steering control means 102 are positioned towards the operator’s seat S which is at the first seating 20 position Sf (as shown in fig. 3), and a second position corresponding to a second driving position in which the arms 102a of the steering control means 102 are positioned towards the operator seat S which is at the second seating position Sr (as shown in fig. 4). The steering control means 102 is at least a steering handle. The steering control means 102 is connected to 25 the first steering shaft 108 through a mounting bracket B and a plurality of locking clamps C. The steering control means 102 is secured onto the mounting bracket B through the plurality of locking clamps C. The first steering shaft 108 is rotatably supported by the first steering column 104.
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[0020] The first steering column 104 is adapted to rotatably receive the first steering shaft 108 and is mounted on the main pillar P through a support member M (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2). Mounting bracket B is guided onto the first steering shaft 108 and secured with check nut 118A. The first steering column 104 is disposed at an offset to the second steering 5 column 106. The second steering column 106 is adapted to rotatably receive the second steering shaft 110 and is mounted onto the main pillar P. A vertical central axis of the first steering column 104 is parallel and disposed away from a vertical central axis of the second steering column 106. 10
[0021] The first steering shaft 108 rotates freely inside the first steering column 104. One end of the first steering shaft 108 is connected to the steering control means 102 through the mounting bracket B and another end of the first steering shaft 108 is connected to the first lever 112. The second steering shaft 110 rotates freely inside the second steering column 15 106 and is disposed away from the first steering shaft 108. One end of the second steering shaft 110 is connected to the second lever 114 and another end of the second steering shaft 110 is connected to the steering drop arm 120.
[0022] The first lever 112 is adapted to transmit the movement of 20 the first steering shaft 108 to the second lever 114 through the lever connecting means 116. One end of the first lever 112 is connected to the first steering shaft 108 and another end of the first lever 112 is connected to the second lever 114 through the lever connecting means 116. The second lever 114 is adapted to transmit the movement of the first lever 112 to the 25 second steering shaft 110 which in turn moves the steering drop arm 120. The lever connecting means 116 is adapted to connect the first lever 112 with the second lever 114. A first end 116f of the lever connecting means 116 is connected to the first lever 112 and a second end 116s of the lever
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connecting means 116 is connected to the second lever 114. The lever connecting means 116 is connected to the first lever 112 and the second lever 114 through corresponding ball pin joints. The lever connecting means 116 is at least a connecting tie rod. The lever connecting means 116 is moved between the extended position corresponding to the first driving 5 position and a retracted position corresponding to the second driving position. The check nut 118 is adapted to secure the first end 116f of the lever connecting means 116 with first lever 112. One end of the steering drop arm 120 is connected to the second steering shaft 110 and another end of the steering drop arm 120 is connected to a longitudinal tie rod assembly 10 L.
[0023] The steering angle of the vehicle is changed by adjusting a length of at least one of the first lever 112, the second lever 114 and the steering drop arm 120. Further in another example, a first end 116f of the lever connecting means 116 is adapted to be connected to the first lever 112 15 in at least one of a plurality of mounting positions and correspondingly a second end 116s of the lever connecting means 116 is adapted to be connected to the second lever 114 in at least one of a plurality of mounting positions to vary steering angle of the vehicle.
[0024] When there is a requirement to operate the vehicle from the 20 second driving position, the position of the steering control arrangement 100 is changed from the first position to the second position in which the lever connecting means 116 is dis-engaged from the first lever 112. Thereafter, the steering control means 102 is rotated to the second position corresponding to the second driving position. To ensure that steering 25 control means 102 is rotated exactly to second position, holes provided in mounting bracket B and in support member M of the main pillar P are aligned by inserting cross pin (not shown) there between and locking it as gauge. Thereafter, the lever connecting means 116 is engaged with the first
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lever 112 and a length of the lever connecting means 116 is adjusted by retracting the lever connecting means 116 for setting the steering drop arm 120 rotation to its initial position.
[0025] Fig. 5 depicts a flowchart showing the steps of a method 200 for changing steering position according to driving position in a vehicle, 5 according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The method 200, includes dis-engaging the lever connecting means 116 from the first lever 112 (step 202), rotating the steering control means 102 from a first position corresponding a first driving position to a second position corresponding a second driving position (step 204), engaging lever 10 connecting means 116 with first lever 112 (step 206), adjusting a length of the lever connecting means 116 by retracting the lever connecting means 116 for setting the steering drop arm 120 to initial position (step 208). The method step (202) of dis-engaging the lever connecting means 116 from the first lever 112 comprises, removing ball pin joints to remove the lever 15 connecting means 116 from the first lever 112. The method step (204) of moving the steering control means 102 from a first position corresponding a first driving position to a second position corresponding a second driving position, comprises removing a checknut 118 to rotate the steering control means 102 to the second position (204A) and setting the steering control 20 means 102 at the second position by aligning holes provided in the mounting bracket B with corresponding holes provided in a support member M of a main pillar P through insertion of a cross pin there between corresponding holes provided in the mounting bracket B and the support member M (step 204B). The method step (206) of engaging the lever 25 connecting means 116 with the first lever 112 comprises, fastening the lever connecting means 116 with the first lever 112 through ball pin joints. Further, the method 200 includes, altering steering angle of the vehicle by adjusting a length of at least one of the first lever 112, a second lever 114
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and the steering drop arm 120, and connecting a first end 116f of the lever connecting means 116 with the first lever 112 in at least one of a plurality of mounting positions and correspondingly a second end 116s of the lever connecting means 116 is connected with the second lever 114 in at least one of a plurality of mounting positions. 5
[0026] Therefore, a steering control arrangement 100 for a vehicle having a plurality of driving positions is provided. Further, a method 200 for changing steering position according to driving position in a vehicle is provided.
[0027] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will 10 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 15 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 20 and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A steering control arrangement 100 comprising:
a first steering shaft 108 rotatably supported by a first steering column 104;
a steering control means 102 connected to said first steering shaft 108;
a second steering shaft 110 rotatably supported by a second steering column 106 and disposed away from said first steering shaft 108;
a first lever 112 adapted to be connected to said first steering shaft 108;
a second lever 114 adapted to be connected to said second steering shaft 110; and
a lever connecting means 116 adapted to be connected to said first lever 112 and said second lever 114,
wherein
said steering control means 102 is adapted to be moved between a first position corresponding to a first driving position, and a second position corresponding to a second driving position.
2. The arrangement 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lever connecting means 116 is adapted to be moved between an extended position corresponding to the first driving position and a retracted position corresponding to the second driving position.
3. The arrangement 100 as claimed in claim 2, wherein said lever connecting means 116 is at least a connecting tie rod.
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4. The arrangement 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first steering column 104 and said second steering column 106 are adapted to be supported by a main pillar P; and
a vertical central axis of said first steering column 104 is parallel and disposed away from a vertical central axis of said second steering column 106.
5. The arrangement 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said steering control means 102 is adapted to be secured to said first steering shaft 108 through the mounting bracket B, a plurality of locking clamps C and a check nut 118A.
6. The arrangement 100 as claimed in claim 1 comprising a steering drop arm 120 adapted to be connected to said second steering shaft 110 and a longitudinal tie rod assembly L.
7. The arrangement 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lever connecting means 116 is connected to said first lever 112 and said second lever 114 through corresponding ball pin joints.
8. The arrangement 100 as claimed in claim 8, wherein a length of at least one of said first lever 112, said second lever 114 and said steering drop arm 120 are adapted to be adjusted to alter steering angle of the vehicle.
9. The arrangement 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first end 116f of said lever connecting means 116 is adapted to be connected to said first lever 112 in at least one of a plurality of mounting positions and correspondingly a second end 116s of said lever connecting means 116 is adapted to be connected to said second lever 114 in at least one of a plurality of mounting positions to vary steering angle of the vehicle.
10. A method 200 for changing steering position in a vehicle, said method 200 comprising:
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dis-engaging a lever connecting means 116 from a first lever 112;
moving the steering control means 102 from a first position corresponding a first driving position to a second position corresponding a second driving position;
engaging the lever connecting means 116 with the first lever 112 thereby connecting the first lever 112 with a second lever 114 which is connected to a second steering shaft 110; and
adjusting a length of the lever connecting means 116 for setting a rotation of a steering drop arm 120 to its initial position
11.The method 200 as claimed in claim 10, wherein said moving the steering control means 102 from a first position corresponding a first driving position to a second position corresponding a second driving position, comprises,
removing a checknut 118 to rotate the steering control means 102 to the second position; and
setting the steering control means 102 at the second position by aligning holes provided in a mounting bracket B with corresponding holes provided in a support member M of a main pillar P through insertion of a cross pin there between corresponding holes provided in the mounting bracket B and the support member M.