FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)
TITLE OF INVENTION
An Universal Steering Fixture For Steering Effort Measurement
APPLICANTS
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company
having its registered office at Bombay House,
24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India
INVENTOR
Badadhe Shailesh P, an Indian National
of TATA MOTORS LIMITED
an Indian company having its registered office
at Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the
manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a universal steering fixture for instrumented steering wheel and more particularly it relates to a fixture for instrumented steering wheel used for steering effort measurement in static and dynamic conditions for steering sub assembly evaluation.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Steering angle and steering effort measurement is important for steering sub assembly evaluation and also to check the vehicle steering response in various vehicle dynamic conditions.
Fitment of the existing instrumented steering wheel on the test vehicle is a very tedious and time-consuming job.
OBJECTS OF INVENTION
The main object of this invention is to provide a universal fixture for instrumented steering wheel fitment.
Another object of this invention is to provide a simple fitment arrangement.
Yet another object of this invention is to save the instrumentation time.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to this invention a steering fixture comprising, three radially extendable arms, said arms having a fixed and moving portions, said fixed part having al least one slot in longitudinal direction of the arm, said moving part connected to said fixed part using a top plate through said slots and sliding therein to move radially,


and said moving part end provided with a clamping arrangement for connected to steering wheel of a vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows the top and side view of the proposed fixture.
Figure 2 shows side view of the extendable arm with clamping arrangement.
Figure 3 shows the plan view of the extendable arm.
Figure 4 shows the cross sectional view of connection between fixed and moving
part of extendable arm of proposed fixture.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same.
The setup has been prepared for the measurement torque and effort of various vehicle steering from car to truck in the mentioned setup been used. The torque sensor (3) with sensor steering (4) has been mounted with sensor adaptor (5). A steering fixture (1) connects between torque sensor (3) & vehicle steering wheel (2). Steering fixture (1) connect to torque sensor (3) using an adaptor (5). The steering fixture having three radially extendable arms locating at 120° each other. The radially extendable arm having a fixed part (6) and a movable part (7). The fixed part is provided with two parallel slots (11) therein. The movable part (7) slides in said parallel slots so that length of the arm can be extended in radially. The radially extendable arm gives a flexibility to adopt the fixture with steering wheel of any size to attach the torque sensor. Fixed part (6) is also provided with scale marking between two parallel slots. The movable part (7) is slidably connected to the fixed part (6) through the slots (11) . A top plate (8) is used to connect the movable part (7) to the fixed portion (6) using bolts (11). The top plate (8) is having stepped


portion (10) to guide through the slots provided on the fixed portion (6) and a marking to locate the radially extendable moving part (7) on a particular position based on the scale marking. The end of the moving part (7) is having a clamping arrangement (9) to mount the fixture on steering wheel of a vehicle. The top plate (8) can be slid radially on the fixed part (6) and positioned at any place on scale marking to set movable part (7) so as to concentrically align the fixture to the vehicle steering axis. Extendable part (7) mounted on each fixed part of the arms forms a sliding and accurate radial arc setting arrangement to set individually on each arm marked number, so as to set concentrically on various steering dimensions referring radial arc of vehicle steering. The minimum and maximum of the scale marking are corresponds to the minimum and maximum of different vehicle steering wheel radius.
For fixing the torque sensor to the steering wheel, the fixture is connected to the torque sensor using the adaptor. The fixture is connected to the vehicle steering wheel. For connecting fixture to the vehicle steering wheel, the movable part located on the fixed part slided on the slots provided therein and marking on the top plate match with the scale marking corresponds to the radius of the designated vehicle steering wheel.
Advantages of the invention:-
1) Improves measurement quality as accuracy of axis alignment increases.
2) Universal for all vehicles, (car, LCV, HCV) due to adjustable radial setting.
3) Reduces overall height of setup, so comfortable & safe in driving
4) Time saving in set up the torque sensor.
The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purpose of illustration only, and that numerous alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is


intended that all such modifications and alterations be included in so far as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof.

WE CLAIM
1. A steering fixture comprising, three radially extendable arms, said arms having a fixed and moving portions, said fixed part having al least one slot in longitudinal direction of the arm, said moving part connected to said fixed part using a top plate through said slots and sliding therein to move radially, and said moving part end provided with a clamping arrangement for connecting to the steering wheel of a vehicle.
2. A steering fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fixed portion having scale marking between slots on said fixed portion.
3. A steering fixture as claimed in claim 2, wherein said scale having minimum and maximum value corresponds to the minimum and maximum value of the different vehicle steering wheels.
4. A steering fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top plate having stepped portions to slide inside said slots.
5. A steering fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top plate having a marking to position the moving part on a designated point on said scale.
6. A steering fixture as claimed in claim 5, wherein the marking on the said top plate coincide with scale value equal to the radius of the designated steering wheel.
7. A steering fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top plate connected to said moving part using bolts through the slots provided on the fixed portion.
8. A steering fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fixture is connected to a torque sensor using an adaptor.


9. A steering fixture substantially as herein described with reference to accompanying drawings.
Dated this 31st day of March 2008



ABSTRACT
An Universal Steering Fixture For Steering Effort Measurement
Figure 1
This invention relates to a universal steering fixture for instrumented steering wheel and more particularly it relates to a fixture for instrumented steering wheel used for steering effort measurement in static and dynamic conditions for steering sub assembly evaluation. The instrumented steering wheel is connected to the fixture using an adaptor. The fixture is having radially extendable arm to connect to steering wheel of vehicle. The fixture arm length can be adjusted according to the size of the steering wheel. The arm includes a fixed portion and radially movable portion sliding in said fixed portion.