FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [See section 10, rule 13]
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
FLEXIBLE DOCKING LUG FOR CUSHIONING TORSIONAL NOISE FROM STEERING COMBI-COUPLER
APPLICANT
TATA MOTORS LIMITED,
an Indian company having its registered office at
Bombay house, 24 Homi Mody Street,
Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001,
Maharashtra, India
INVENTORS
ABHAY TUKARAM WAYAL, MAHESH PRATAPRAO SHINDE
AND VAIBHAV NISAL
all are Indian nationals of
Tata Motors Limited,
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 performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention generally relates to automotive vehicle and more particularly it relates to a steering combi-coupler that reduces noise generated by the steering assembly while maneuvering the steering wheel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currently, combi-coupler is used for connecting a steering wheel lower to a steering mechanism, wherein the combi-coupler transmits the rotary motion from the steering wheel to the steering mechanism to cause actuation thereof. The combi-coupler includes a plurality of mating lugs that are received in corresponding slots configured on the steering wheel lower. However, noise is generated from steering assembly while turning the steering wheel. The noise is generated due to hard to hard contact between steering combi coupler lug and steering wheel lower assembly, during torsional movement of the steering wheel. More specifically, as hard to hard contact happens between steering combi coupler lug and steering wheel lower, squeaks and rattle occurring between mating elements of the combi-coupler and steering wheel lower cause noise. Squeaks are friction induced noise due to stick-slip mechanism between mating surfaces having relative motion and rattle is an impact induced noise due to short loss of contact between mating components having relative motion
Accordingly, there is a need for a system that prevents noise generated by the steering assembly, due to squeaks and rattle occurring between mating elements of the combi-coupler and steering wheel lower, while turning of the steering wheel.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a combi-coupler with flexible docking lugs, wherein the flexible docking lugs are disposed between the combi coupler lug and steering wheel lower, thereby providing cushioning effect and preventing hard to hard contact between the combi lugs and the steering wheel lower and obviating the drawbacks associated with such hard to hard contact.
The object of invention is to provide a reliable, simple and cost effective combi-coupler with flexible docking lugs that prevents noise generation due to squeaks and rattle occurring between mating elements of the combi-coupler and steering wheel lower, while turning of the steering wheel.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a combi-coupler with flexible docking lugs that can be easily retrofitted in the current steering assembly without requiring any significant modification.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a combi-coupler with flexible docking lugs that can be easily assembled with the steering wheel lower of the steering assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a combi-coupler with flexible docking lugs that ensures flexural cushioning under torque and also ensures a positive rotational movement of the combi - coupler with respect to the steering wheel lower.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A combi-coupler 100 includes a plurality of combi-lugs 10, wherein each combi-lug 10 has a triangular wedge shaped recess 12, also, at least two flexible lug/lips 14a and 14b are configured on both sides of the combi-lug 10. Each of the combi-

lug 10 along with the flexible lug/lips are received in respective slots/cavities "S" configured on a steering wheel lower 16. Such configuration prevents hard to hard contact between the combi-lugs 10 and the cavities S configured in the steering wheel lower 16, and also provides a flexural cushioning under torque and yet ensures a positive rotational movement of the combi - coupler 100 with respect to the steering wheel lower 16. The flexible lug/lips disposed between the combi-lugs 10 and the steering wheel lower act as energy absorption mechanism that avoid the noise during operation of steering wheel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMANYING DRAWINGS
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:
FIG.1 illustrates a schematic representation of a combi-coupler; and
FIG 2 illustrates an enlarged view of a single combi-lug of the combi-coupler, with triangular wedge shaped recess configured thereon and least two flexible lug/lips configured on both sides thereof received in the respective slots/cavities "S" configured on the steering wheel lower.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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 structures 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 spirit and 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.
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.
FIG.1 illustrates a schematic representation of a combi-coupler 100. The combi-coupler 100 includes a plurality of combi-lugs 10, wherein each combi-lug 10 has a triangular wedge shaped recess 12, also, at least two flexible lug/lips 14a and 14b are configured on both sides of the combi-lug 10. Each of the combi-lugs 10 has dove tail shaped configuration, which after being in position, transforms into initially straight wedged interlock and at the same time compensating for radial play in mating parts. Each of the flexible lug/lips 14a and 14b is provided with entry chamfer "E" that facilitates assembly/ receiving of the combi-lug 10 along with the flexible lug/lips 14a and 14b into the respective slots/cavities "S" configured on the steering wheel lower 16. Further, such configuration results in elimination of noise from steering and combi-switch area and improves perceived quality of the vehicles.

FIG 2 illustrates an enlarged view of a single combi-lug 10 of the combi-coupler, with triangular wedge shaped recess 12 configured thereon and least two flexible lug/lips 14a and 14b configured on both sides thereof received in the respective slots/cavities "S" configured on the steering wheel lower 16.
Each of the combi-lug 10 along with the flexible lug/lips 14a and 14b are received in respective slots/cavities "S" configured on a steering wheel lower 16 (as illustrated in FIG. 2). Such configuration prevents hard to hard contact between the combi-lugs 10 and the cavities S configured in the steering wheel lower 16, and also provides a flexural cushioning under torque and yet ensures a positive rotational movement of the combi - coupler 100 with respect to the steering wheel lower 16. The flexible lug/lips 14a and 14b disposed between the combi-lugs 10 and the steering wheel lower 16 act as energy absorption mechanism that avoid the noise during operation of steering wheel.
Advantages:
The present disclosure provides a combi-coupler with flexible docking lugs that
• provides cushioning effect and prevents hard to hard contact between the combi lugs and the steering wheel lower, thereby obviating the drawbacks associated with such hard to hard contact;
• is reliable, simple and cost effective;
• prevents noise generation due to squeaks and rattle occurring between mating elements of the combi-coupler and steering wheel lower, while turning of the steering wheel;
• can be easily retrofitted in the current steering assembly without requiring any significant modification;
• can be easily assembled with the steering wheel lower of the steering assembly; and

• that ensures flexural cushioning under torque and also ensures a positive rotational movement of the combi - coupler with respect to the steering wheel lower.

Referral Numerals:
Reference Number Description
100 a combi-coupler
10 a plurality of combi-lugs
12 a triangular wedge shaped recess
14a and 14b two flexible lug/lips
16 steering wheel lower
"S" slots/cavities configured on a steering wheel lower
“E” entry chamfer configured on each of the flexible lug/lips 14a and 14b

We claim
1. A steering assembly comprising
a combi-coupler comprising of a plurality of combi-lug and at least two flexible lug/lips configured on both sides of the combi-lug.
2. The steering assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said combi-coupler is disposed between the steering wheel and steering wheel lower.
3. The steering assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said combi-lug is having triangular wedge shaped recess.
4. The steering wheel assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said combi-lug along with the flexible lug/lips are assembled/received in respective slots/cavities configured on a steering wheel lower.
5. The steering wheel assembly as claimed in claim 1 and 4 wherein said configuration prevents hard to hard contact between the combi-lugs and the slots/cavities configured in the steering wheel lower.
6. The steering assembly as claimed in claim 1 and 4 wherein said combi-lugs provides flexural cushioning under torque and ensures a positive rotational movement of the combi-coupler with respect to the steering wheel lower.
7. The steering wheel assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible lugs/lips are provided with entry chamfer that facilitates assembling/receiving of the combi-lug along with flexible lug/lip into the respective slots/cavities configured on the steering wheel lower.

8. The steering wheel assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible lug/lips disposed between combi-lugs and the steering wheel lower act as energy absorption mechanism that avoid the noise during operation of steering wheel.