FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)
“A TILTING STEERING COLUMN FOR A COMPACTOR”
Case New Holland Construction Equipment (India) Pvt. Ltd. of the address: B1-207, 2nd Floor, BOOMERANG, Chandivali Farm Road, Near Chandivali Studio, Andheri (East), Mumbai – 400072, Maharashtra, India; Nationality:- India.
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed:

A TILTING STEERING COLUMN FOR A COMPACTOR
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a steering column system for construction equipment and more specifically to a steering column lateral tilting system with seat sliding and rotating system for construction equipment but not limiting to compactors with hydraulic steering units including vibratory compactors.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ARTS OF THE INVENTION
Compaction is a simple ground improvement technique, where material is densified through external compactive effect. Compaction is often desirable for finishing surfaces of asphalt composition for the roadway work and a vibrating compactor is best suitable to accomplish this leveled compacting function. Vibratory compactors are specially developed for the coarse grain or gravely materials and work with two principles, one is out of balance type, and the other is pulsating hydraulic type, for impacting vibrations to the ground.
Operation of various construction equipment such as compactors, among others operating under diverse environmental conditions often requires protecting the operator from dust and noise. To address the concerns for operating comfort, sophisticated operator enclosures with all the essential control mechanisms have been developed.
Even though, speed of travel is appreciably less in construction equipment such as compactors when compared to other on road vehicles, an operator often faces difficulty in controlling such machines. A number of machine passes made more than the required results in over compaction and is not desirous in operation. For continuing performance and operation, the operator is desirous of viewing the edges and seams of the one or more compacting drums of the vehicle at the location. It is thus critical for the operator,

to have an unobstructed view of the drum edges in order to guide the vehicle to travel upon a work surface. However, the operator cannot visually access the working area directly from the front, or the side windows without rising up from the seat to look beneath the equipment.
In conventional art, there has been known many construction vehicles employing a structure to enable the operator to adjust the fore and aft displacement of the seat, which is advantageous in viewing the working area.
Most of the known tilting devices do not permit the operator to tilt the steering wheel position, with a simple procedure. In compactors, the steering columns are generally of fixed type and are arranged vertically in the center. The steering column and wheel in such arrangements have to be aligned at a certain angle (20degree) towards the operator with respect to a vertical plane and it becomes difficult to laterally tilt it according to the requirement in operating conditions. This system cannot be moved as the hoses and other electrical aggregates, which are mounted on the console, are to be kept stationary.
With the sliding but non-rotating seat disclosed in the prior art, the operator faces difficulty in operating steering wheel when operator has moved to the sides of vehicle. The steering wheel stays in center and the seat in extreme slid condition is not oriented towards the steering wheel for ease of operation. Thereby, such arrangements have proved to limit the operation and control of the machine.
While development efforts on providing a cab region with improved ergonomic conditions, space constraints are and continue to be a serious problem. In a way to effect controlling of such machines, various designs have been developed in relation to tiltable steering columns attached to the frame of the machine. A tilt steering column assembly permits the operator to move the steering wheel up and down to a desired angular position. Such designs allow the operator to adjust the angle of the steering wheel to the steering column depending on the operator's stature, seat position, and comfort.
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However, these different design arrangements developed allowing the steering column to pivot at the base or the midpoint require bulky pivoting mechanisms, complicated linkages, and are insufficient to handle as they only move with one degree of freedom. They limit the range of tilting and the operator’s ability to make adjustments in various situations.
Alternatively, there have been various designs that disclose the steering wheel, the console, and the seat all mounted on a single frame, which can be rotated from nominal position and slide towards the end of the operator platform width. Pivot for rotation of the operator’s station in such designs lies in the center of the frame or below the front console. The hydraulic steering unit and all the hoses do not remain stationary with respect to the console. The cost of such design systems is very high as they require bearings to be used in rotating operator’s station and hydraulic turning/sliding -retracting joints.
Also, in known art technologies like power steering, hydraulic steering, among other are implemented to ease steering and assist the operator. The hydraulic steering mechanism provides a steering wheel mounted on a short pivotable steering column, and a flexible hydraulic coupling between the tiltable column and the steerable ground engaging wheels.
The steering columns as disclosed in prior arts for the construction equipment may be tilted with respect to a fixed axis i.e. with respect to the vertical plane have met their objectives and are used in a wide range of vehicles. However, the complexity of operating conditions has grown along with the requirement for further tilting the steering column in another plane orthogonal to its primary plane of tilting. Hence, it has become necessary to design a steering column mechanism, which makes it possible for the operator to achieve lateral tilt. This lateral tilt also provides ergonomic access for servicing the components and operation at a low cost for steering in desired conditions.
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Conventional tilt mechanisms also provide assemblies that lock the steering column in a desired operating position. The operator can release these locking mechanisms so that the steering column and steering wheel can be adjusted to a different position. However, the construction of the steering units known in the art having actuating mechanisms to lock is relatively costly to manufacture and assemble. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a pivotable steering wheel mechanism for use with a simple and an effective locking mechanism that utilizes a small number of parts and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble.
US 5,720,462 A titled “Rotatable and fore-aft slidable seat mount and controls” discloses a rotatable and slidable seat mount having controls for rotation and sliding, operable with actuators relative to the seat rotation or lateral orientation. Such actuating seats facilitating motions and functions, further capable of being locked in a desired position are bulky and must be housed within compact spaces provided therein.
Therefore, it is desired to provide an operator's seat and controls arrangement, which requires a minimum of equipment and is ergonomically equally favorable for the operator in all operational positions required for the operation of the compactor.
The present invention addresses the foregoing concerns by disclosing an improved system that sufficiently universal to fit numerous construction equipment applications, is simple, and is relatively inexpensive.
With the new design concept of the present invention, the operator can desire to operate the machine/vehicle sitting at sides rather than at center. This improves visibility of drum and road/surface for better compaction performance.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art are overcome in the present invention, which has objective to provide a lateral tilt steering column mechanism that
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can enhance ergonomic access and operation at a low cost for a steering wheel in desired operating conditions.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a steering column, which is laterally tiltable between fixed limits according to the desired operating conditions.
Further, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a hydraulic steering unit (Orbitrol) that is not directly mounted on the Steering column; instead, it mounted on a means that may include but not limited to a sheet metal bracket.
Also, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a simple and an effective locking arrangement, achieved through a locking pin for locking the lateral tilting steering column, which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to assemble.
Furthermore, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a seat sliding system, so that the operator can slide it in a direction orthogonal to machine travel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a tiltable steering column system with a sliding and rotating seat system for a compactor.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a tiltable steering system for a compactor is provided. The disclosed tiltable steering column system of the present invention includes a steering wheel mounted on a steering column, operatively connected to a universal coupling.
In the disclosed preferred embodiment, the universal coupling is connected to a connecting rod, which is attached to a hydraulic steering unit.
Further, the steering system is connected to the frame, which comprises a means for mounting that may include but not limited to a sheet metal bracket, which is arranged inside the housing and thus, facilitates mounting the hydraulic steering unit.
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In the disclosed embodiment, a fork, which covers said universal coupling, is connected at a bottom end of the steering column for mounting the steering column on a flanged bracket. It is disclosed that the orientation of said fork and said flanged bracket inclines said steering column towards an operator. Moreover, it is disclosed that the flanged bracket has a provision for operatively receiving the connecting rod.
In the preferred embodiment, said fork and said flanged bracket have a common pivot axis operatively above the connecting rod, and in line with axis of rotation of driving and driven hubs of the universal coupling to facilitate lateral tilting movement of the steering column with respect to the flanged bracket about desired angles.
Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a locking arrangement is provided with the fork end of the steering column and the flanged bracket to lock the steering column in a desired lateral tiling position.
In preferred embodiment of the present invention, an angular slotted bracket with profiled additional holes is provided on the fork end, to set a range of tilting angles and thereby facilitates locking of the steering column in lateral positions.
In preferred embodiment of the present invention, the angular slotted bracket is profiled with at least three additional holes.
In preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking arrangement includes a bush mating plate, which is clamped to the flanged bracket by a plurality of clamping means through a plurality of holes provided on the bush mating plate.
In preferred embodiment of the present invention, a guiding bush with a cam profile is fixed on the bush mating plate to guide a spring loaded locking means.
In preferred embodiment of the present invention, a conical wedge type nut is provided at the backside of the angular slotted bracket, for gripping the locking means in the profiled additional holes of the angular slotted bracket.
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Furthermore, a grab lever is provided on head of the spring loaded locking means.
In preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spring loaded locking means may include but not limited to a locking pin, or a locking lever.
Moreover, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is disclosed that the cam profile within the guiding bush converts rotary motion of the spring loaded locking means into a translation motion, for facilitating locking of the steering column.
In preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spring loaded locking means has a threaded end to bear the conical wedge type nut in position with a check nut, during wear off condition.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lateral tilting angle ranges from 0º in a normal condition to 28º clock wise and 28º anti-clock wise in an extreme tilt condition.
In preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flanged bracket is mounted on a supporting means with its base horizontal and is secured by a plurality of securing means.
Further, the embodiment discloses the supporting means that may include but is not limited to a cantilever bracket with a plurality of holes, which is connected to the housing/frame, for facilitating mounting of the flanged bracket with a base horizontal. The supporting means has a provision to operatively receive the connecting rod.
In preferred embodiment of the present invention, the securing means includes a first fastening assembly that may include but not limited to a nut and bolt assembly.
In preferred embodiment of the present invention, the clamping means includes a second fastening assembly that may include but not limited to another nut and bolt assembly.
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In preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fork end of the steering column is hinged with the flanged bracket by a plurality of hinging means that may include but not limited to a plurality of hinging bolts of suitable length.
In preferred embodiment of the present invention, a central chord axis line of the angular slotted bracket is coincident with the pivot axis of the steering assembly for positive locking.
Further, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is disclosed that the connecting rod rotatably transfers rotary motion of the steering wheel to the hydraulic steering unit through the provisions provided on the flanged bracket and the supporting means.
According to another embodiment of the present invention discloses a vechicle cab with a tiltable steering column system for a compactor that includes a sliding and rotating seat system. The sliding and rotating seat system comprises a seat with a seat frame connected to a frame of the compactor, a seat suspension system with a base plate, a turn table having a turn table lever, a sliding trolley, a structure with plurality of guide rails and a slider locking pin plate.
Further, the embodiment discloses that when the steering column is secured laterally on left hand side with the locking arrangement of the tiltable steering column system, the seat slides to left direction and the turn table facilitates rotation of the seat clockwise in relation to the steering column.
Further, it is disclosed that when the steering column is secured laterally on right hand side with the locking arrangement of the tiltable steering column system, the seat slides to right direction and the turn table facilitates rotation of the seat anti-clockwise direction in relation to the steering column.
Further, it is disclosed that when said steering column is secured laterally about 28 degrees on left hand (LH) side, operator’s seat rotates 45 degrees clockwise.
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Further, it is disclosed that when said steering column is secured laterally about 28 degrees on right hand (RH) side, operator’s seat rotates 45 degrees anti-clockwise,
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The various aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the present invention, consisting of inventive concepts, which are essential in the arrangement and construction of parts hereinafter more particularly described, will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a basic operator cab structure for a compactor known in the art.
Figure 2 illustrates a lateral tilt steering column system alongwith a slidable and rotatable seat arrangement for a compactor according to the embodiments of the present invention.
Figures 3 (a) and 3 (b) illustrates a detailed view of the steering system and a steering locking arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates the rear view of the seating arrangement and seat sliding locking arrangement according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) illustrates arrangement of the steering column and seat sliding and rotation system, according to the operating conditions disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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
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merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein can be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The present invention discloses a new steering system in which the operator can operate the machine/vehicle sitting at sides rather than at center. This improves visibility of drum and road/surface for better compaction performance. The steering column system of the present invention may be employed to various construction equipments that may include a backhoe loader, a bulldozer, an excavator, a grader and is not limited to a compactor including a vibratory compactor etc.
Figure 1 illustrates a Compactor (100) including a vibratory compactor with an operator cab (101) structure. A compactor (100) with a cab region (101) disclosed in the present invention includes a floor/ base/ frame (102), a pair of windowed sidewalls (103) provided with doors (104) for the operator’s ingress and egress from the cab region (101), a rear wall (105), a front wall (106), and a roof (107). The front wall (106) includes a vertical window (108) arranged in front of the Steering assembly (109).
Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention disclosing a lateral tilt steering column system (109) alongwith a slidable and rotatable seat arrangement (110) for a compactor (100).
The cab region (101) of the compactor, further includes a steering wheel (111) mounted and supported at the top of a steering column (1) to control the direction of the compactor (100). A housing (112) provided therein which encloses the input shaft for mounting electrical cable connections and hydraulic steering unit (9) (orbitrol). An operator seat (29) arranged rearwardly from the steering column (1) allows the operator to be comfortably seated during the operation and control various mechanisms that are ergonomically arranged about the seat (29).
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According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steering column (1) is provided with a fork at bottom end (115) and it is hinged about an axis of rotation of a universal coupling (3). During rotation of steering wheel (111), the universal coupling (3) transfers the rotary motion of the steering wheel (111) to a connecting rod (4). The connecting rod (4) attached to a hydraulic steering unit (9) at one end and on the other end; it is connected to the universal coupling (3).
In general, the steering system (109) is a fixed type (rigidly mounted in a sheet metal console/bracket) on the steering column (1), on the bottom splines of which the Hydraulic steering unit (Orbitrol) (9) gets directly connected. This system cannot be moved as the hoses and other electrical aggregates, which are mounted on the console, are to be kept stationary.
To achieve the goal of lateral tilting of steering column, the present invention provides a design for a Hydraulic steering unit (Orbitrol) (9). In the improved design the Hydraulic steering unit (Orbitrol) (9) is mounted on a means for mounting (114) that may include but not limited to a sheet metal bracket (114) placed inside the housing (112) and thus, is not directly mounted on the steering column (1).
Further, in the steering column system (109), a “flanged bracket” (2) is provided which is mounted with its base horizontal on a supporting means that may include but not limited to a cantilever bracket (120) with a plurality of holes, provided in the housing (112). The supporting means (120) has a provision to receive the connecting rod.
In the present invention, the “steering column” (1) is hinged on a “Flanged bracket” (2) through the fork at the bottom end (115). The axis of the “Flanged bracket” (2) is at a certain angle (20Degree) so that the steering column (1) can stay inclined towards the operator. This axis becomes the lateral tilting axis in an orthogonal plane.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention discloses the universal coupling (3) is selected depending upon how much angle of lateral tilt is required. This universal coupling (3) transmits torque from said steering column (1) to said connecting
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rod (4) and hence results in rotary movement of a generated rotor (G-rotor) inside a hydraulic steering unit (9).
The flanged bracket (2) is secured on the supporting means (120) by a plurality of securing means (122). The flanged bracket (2) has a provision for operatively receiving the connecting rod (4).
For smooth operation of the system (109) it is paramount that the axis of rotation of the driving and driven hubs of the Universal coupling (3) should be in line with “pivot axis” (116-116’) [as shown in figure 3(b)] of the whole assembly comprising of the “Flanged bracket” (2) and the “Steering column” (1). The lateral tilting axis and the axis of rotation of the driving and driven hubs of the universal coupling (3), linearly defines the pivot axis (116-116’) for facilitating lateral tilting movement of the steering column (1) with respect to the flanged bracket (2) about desired angles.
In particular, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention the pivot axis (116-116’) of a steering column (1) and flanged bracket (2) is operatively above the connecting rod (4).
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flanged bracket (2) has a provision for operatively receiving the connecting rod (4).
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the securing means (122) includes a first fastening assembly that may include but not limited to a nut and bolt assembly.
In preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fork end (115) of the steering column (1) is hinged with the flanged bracket (2) by a plurality of hinging means (123) that may include but not limited to a plurality of hinging nut (6) and bolts (6) of suitable lengths.
Further, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is disclosed that the connecting rod (4) rotatably transfers rotary motion of the steering wheel (111)
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to the hydraulic steering unit (9) through the provisions provided on the flanged bracket (2) and the supporting means (120).
According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is desired to provide the tiltable steering column (1) capable of being securely locked into its intended operating position, and allows a smooth adjusting action when a lock arrangement (113) is released for operating the steering wheel (111).
The present invention discloses a locking provision so that operator can lock the steering column (1) and operate the steering wheel (111). The steering column (1) is provided with a steering locking and releasing arrangement (113) through a locking means (10) that may include but not limited to a locking lever or a locking pin, for facilitating the operator to set a tilting angle of the steering column (1) at 0 degree and 28 degrees clockwise, 28 degrees anti clockwise and lock the steering column laterally. The steering locking and releasing arrangement (113) retains the steering wheel (111) in selected positions of tilt.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is disclosed that when said steering column (1) is tilted to 28 degrees on the left hand and right hand side laterally, the operator needs to slide an operator seat (29) to left / right side, on the same side of said tilted column (1) and rotate said seat (29) by 45 degrees clockwise/ anti-clockwise. With this rotation, the operator sits facing said steering wheel (111) and hence, the continuing performance and operation can be achieved.
In the disclosed aspect, the locking arrangement (113) is provided such that a central chord axis line of the angular slotted bracket is coincident with the pivot axis (116-116’) and has been designed for facilitating angular movement of the steering column (1). The locking arrangement (113) includes a spring (11) loaded locking means (10) with a grab lever (16) to be guided in an angular slotted bracket (15), made of a harder material and welded to the steering column bottomed fork end (115). The angular slotted bracket (15) welded therein is profiled with three additional holes at 0 degree
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and 28 degrees clockwise and 28 degrees anti clock wise from the vertical plane, for respectively locking the steering column (1) in its definite position.
Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, an easy-to-use, economical, and safe mechanical device allows a seat (29) occupant to slide in a direction orthogonal to machine travel, rotate, and lock his / her seat facilitating the operator’s placement with respect to the steering column (1).
According to a sliding and rotation system (110), it is disclosed that a welded structure (117) formed by a plurality of guide rails (19) provides the sliding degrees of freedom. For the sliding mechanism, the sliding trolley (20) is provided with four rollers (21) on the ends of a box that are held positioned on a plurality of welded pivot pins (22) by means of a plurality of circlips (23) and said rollers (21) guides themselves inside the guide rails (19) and get locked in specified distance away from the central position of the operator seat by means of a slider locking pin (24).
A slider locking pin (24) is spring loaded and is actuated with a seat slider stop cable (25) (Bowdencable). The slider locking pin (24) is assembled on the base plate (118) of the seat (29) and locks the seat (29) by getting inserted inside a slider lock plate (26) welded on guide rail structure (117). Abutting a seat base plate (118) (as shown in figure 4) seat suspension system (119) is provided and a turn table (27) provided above the seat (29) allows +/- 45Deg rotational DOF through a turntable lever (28). A control box (30) is provided between the seat cushion (29) and turn table (27) for housing the travel controls for the compactor (100).
Figure 3(a) and 3(b) illustrates the steering system (109) and a steering locking arrangement (113) according to the present invention.
According to the locking mechanism of the present invention, it is disclosed that the spring (11) loaded locking means (10) that may include but not limited to a locking pin or a locking lever passes through the angular slotted bracket (15) and a conical wedge type nut (12) provided at the backside of the bracket (15) grips and locks the spring (11)
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loaded means (10) positively in one of the three holes provided on the slotted bracket (15). The head of the spring (11) loaded locking means (10) bearing a grab lever (16), guides on a cam profile created on a guiding bush (17). The guiding bush (17) is fixed with respect to a bush mating plate (18) and helps to convert a rotary motion of the pin into translation motion, for facilitating locking of the steering column (1).
The whole arrangement is clamped to the flanged bracket (2) by a plurality of clamping means (121) through a plurality of holes provided on the bush mating plate (18).
In preferred embodiment of the present invention, the clamping means (121) includes a second fastening assembly that may include but not limited to another nut and bolt assembly.
The conical wedge type nut (12) does not engage in the holes of the angular slotted bracket (15), when the locking means (10) is in its nominal condition and the conical wedge type nut (12) engages in the holes of angular slotted bracket (15), when the locking means (10) is rotated towards the tip of cam profile on guiding bush (17). Here, the locking means (10) moves outward towards the operator, thereby facilitating locking.
Further, it is disclosed that with time when the conical wedge type nut (12) wears off, an adjustable locking pin (10) with threaded end held in position with a check nut (13) is provided alternatively.
Figure 4, illustrates the rear view of the seating arrangement (110) and seat sliding locking arrangement (125) according to the present invention.
In the seat sliding locking arrangement (125), a slider locking pin (24) is spring loaded and is actuated with a seat slider stop cable (25) (Bowdencable). The slider locking pin (24) is assembled on the base plate (118) of the seat (29) and locks the seat (29) by getting inserted inside a slider lock plate (26) welded on guide rail structure (117). Abutting a seat base plate (118) seat suspension system (119) is provided and a turn
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table (27) above the seat (29) allows +/- 45Deg rotational DOF controlled through a turntable lever (28).
Figure 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) illustrates arrangement of the steering column and seat sliding and rotation system, according to the operating condition disclosed according to the present invention. In figure 5(a), the operator can slide the seat (29) to right direction and rotate about 45 deg anti-clockwise with the help of the turn table (27), in relation to the steering column (1) which is secured laterally about 28 deg on right hand (RH) side with the help of a locking arrangement (113). In figure 5(b), discloses the operator seat arrangement in relation to steering column at the centre position of the compactor (100). In figure 5 (c), the operator can slide the seat (29) to left direction and rotate about 45 deg clockwise with the help of the turn table (27), in relation to the steering column (1) which is secured laterally about 28 deg on left hand (LH) side with the help of a locking arrangement (113).
ADVANTAGES:
The advantages of the present invention, which have objective to design a lateral tilt steering column mechanism that can provide ergonomic access & operation at a low cost for steering wheel in all of the following seating conditions evaluated for 5 - 95 percentile operator include:
1) The operator seated at nominal condition i.e. along the center plane of the vehicle.
2) The operator seated at certain distance (> 380 mm) from the center plane of the vehicle on left hand side.
3) The operator seated at certain distance (> 380 mm) from the center plane of the vehicle on right hand side.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steering column (1) is hinged about an axis of rotation of a universal coupling (3). The steering column (1) is provided with a locking arrangement (113) through a locking means (10), for
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facilitating the operator to set a tilting angle of said steering column (1) at 0 degree and +/- 28 degrees laterally lock the steering column (1).
Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a seat base plate (118) seat suspension system (119) is provided and a turn table (27) provided above the seat (29) allows +/- 45Deg rotational DOF when controlled through a turntable lever (28).
PARTS USED
1. Vibratory Compactor (100)
2. Cab region (101)
3. Floor / Base/ Frame (102)
4. Windowed Sidewalls (103)
5. Doors (104)
6. Rear wall (105)
7. Front wall (106)
8. Roof (107)
9. Vertical Window (108)
10. Steering system (109)
11. Slidable and Rotatable seat arrangement (110)
12. Steering wheel (111)
13. Housing (112)
14. Steering locking and releasing arrangement (113)
15. Means for mounting (Sheet metal bracket) (114)
16. Bottomed fork end (115)
17. Pivot axis (116-116’)
18. Welded structure (117)
19. Seat base plate (118)
20. Seat suspension system (119)
21. Steering column (1)
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22. Flanged bracket (2)
23. Universal coupling / Joint (3)
24. Connecting rod (4)
25. Hinge nut (6) and bolt (5)
26. Hydraulic Steering unit (9)
27. Lever/ locking pin/locking means (10)
28. Spring (11)
29. Conical wedge type nut (12)
30. Check nut (13)
31. Slotted bracket (15)
32. Grab lever (16)
33. Guiding bush (17)
34. Bush mating plate (18)
35. Guide rails (19)
36. Sliding trolley (20)
37. Rollers (21)
38. Pivot pins (22)
39. Circlips (23)
40. Slider locking pin (24)
41. Seat slider stop cable / Bowden cable / actuating means (25)
42. Slider lock plate (26)
43. Turn table (27)
44. Turntable lever (28)
45. Operator seat / operator seat cushion (29)
46. Control box (30)
47. Supporting means (Cantilever bracket) (120)
48. Clamping means (121)
49. Securing means (122)
50. Hinging means (123)
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51. Seat frame (124)
52. Seat sliding locking arrangement (125)
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 preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the scope of the embodiments as described herein.
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We Claim:
1. A tiltable steering column system (109) for a compactor (100) including: a steering
wheel (111) mounted on a steering column (1), operatively connected to a universal
coupling (3), said universal coupling (3) connected to a connecting rod (4), said
connecting rod (4) attached to a hydraulic steering unit (9);
wherein said system (109) connected to a frame (102) comprises:
a means (114) for mounting for said hydraulic steering unit (9);
a fork (115), covering said universal coupling (3), connected at a bottom end of said
steering column (1) for mounting said steering column (1) on a flanged bracket (2),
wherein orientation of said fork (115) and flanged bracket (2) inclines said steering
column (1) towards an operator; said flanged bracket (2) has a provision for operatively
receiving said connecting rod (4);
wherein said fork (115) and said flanged bracket (2) have a common pivot axis (116-116’) operatively above said connecting rod (4), and in line with axis of rotation of driving and driven hubs of said universal coupling (3), facilitates lateral tilting movement of said steering column (1) with respect to said flanged bracket (2) about desired angles.
2. The system (109) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a locking arrangement (113) is provided with said fork (115) end of said steering column (1) and said flanged bracket (2) to lock said steering column (1) in a desired lateral tilting position.
3. The system (109) as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein an angular slotted bracket (15) with profiled additional holes is provided on said fork (115) end, to set a range of tilting angles to lock said steering column (1) in lateral positions.
4. The system (109) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said angular slotted bracket (15) is profiled with at least three additional holes.
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5. The system (109) as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein said locking arrangement (113) includes a bush mating plate (18) clamped to said flanged bracket (2) by a plurality of clamping means (121) through plurality of holes provided on said bush mating plate (18).
6. The system (109) as claimed in claims 2 and 5, wherein a guiding bush (17) with a cam profile is fixed on said bush mating plate (18) to guide a spring (11) loaded locking means (10).
7. The system (109) as claimed in claims 2, 3 and 4, wherein a conical wedge type nut (12) is provided at the backside of said angular slotted bracket (15), for gripping said locking means (10) in said profiled additional holes of said angular slotted bracket (15).
8. The system (109) as claimed in claims 2 and 6, wherein a grab lever (16) is provided on a head of said spring (11) loaded locking means (10).
9. The system (109) as claimed in claims 2, 6, 7 and 8, wherein said spring (11) loaded locking means (10) includes a locking pin or a locking lever.
10. The system (109) as claimed in claims 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8, wherein said cam profile within said guiding bush (17) converts rotary motion of said spring (11) loaded locking means (10) into a translation motion, for facilitating locking of said steering column (1).
11. The system (109) as claimed in claims 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9, wherein said spring (11) loaded locking means (10) has a threaded end to bear said conical wedge type nut (12) in position with a check nut (13), during wear off condition.
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12. The system (109) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said lateral tilting angle ranges from 0º in a normal condition to 28º clock wise and anti-clock wise in an extreme tilt condition.
13. The system (109) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flanged bracket (2) is mounted on a supporting means (120) with its base horizontal and secured by a plurality of securing means (122).
14. The system (109) as claimed in claims 1 and 13 wherein said securing means (122) includes a first fastening assembly.
15. The system (109) as claimed in claims 1 and 5, wherein said clamping means (121) includes a second fastening assembly.
16. The system (109) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fork end (115) of said steering column (1) is hinged with said flanged bracket (2) by a plurality of hinging means (123).
17. The system (109) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a central chord axis line of said angular slotted bracket (15) is coincident with said pivot axis (116-116’) of said steering column (1) for positive locking.
18. The system (109) as claimed in claims 1 and 13, wherein said connecting rod (4) rotatably transfers rotary motion of said steering wheel (111) to said hydraulic steering unit (9) through said provisions provided on said flanged bracket (2) and said supporting means (120).
19. The system (109) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for mounting (114) includes a sheet metal bracket.
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20. The system (109) as claimed in claims 1, 13 and 18, wherein said supporting means (120) includes a cantilever bracket.
21. The system (109) as claimed in claim 16, wherein said plurality of hinging means includes a plurality of hinge bolts of sutiable length.
22. A vechicle cab (101) with a tiltable steering column system (109) as claimed in claims 1 to 21 for a compactor, wherein said vechicle cab (101) includes a sliding and rotating seat system (110) comprising:
a seat (29) with a seat frame (124) connected to a frame (102);
a seat suspension system (119) with a base plate (118);
a turn table (27) having a turn table lever (28);
a sliding trolley (20);
a structure (117) with plurality of guide rails (19), and
a slider locking pin plate (26);
wherein when said steering column (1) is secured laterally on left hand side with said locking arrangement (113) of said tiltable steering column system (109), said seat (29) slides to left direction and said turn table (27) facilitates rotation of said seat (29) clockwise in relation to said steering column (1);
wherein when said steering column (1) is secured laterally on right hand side with said locking arrangement (113) of said tiltable steering column system (109), said seat (29) slides to right direction and said turn table (27) facilitates rotation of said seat (29) anticlockwise direction in relation to said steering column (1).
23. The system (109) as claimed in claim 22, wherein when said steering column (1) is
secured laterally about 28 degrees on left hand (LH) side, said turn table (27) facilitates
rotation of said seat (29) 45 degrees clockwise.
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24. The system (109) as claimed in claim 22, wherein when said steering column (1) is secured laterally about 28 degrees on right hand (RH) side, said turn table (27) facilitates rotation of said seat (29) 45 degrees anti-clockwise.