DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The embodiments herein relate to a steering apparatus for mounting an instrument cluster in a vehicle (tractor, off-road vehicle and the like), wherein the instrument cluster (instrument panel) is in a stationary position (fixed position) on rotational movement of a steering wheel of the steering apparatus.
BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, an instrumental cluster (instrumental panel) in a vehicle is a control panel located in front of a driver driving the vehicle, which displays instrumentation and controls for the vehicle's operation. The instrumental panel may include speedometer, tachometer, odometer, fuel gauge, engine temperature gauges, turn indicators, gearshift position, seat belt warning light, parking-brake-engagement warning light, headlight indicator and engine-malfunction light. In addition, the instrumental panel may also include indicators for low fuel, low oil pressure, low tire pressure and faults in the airbag (SRS) system. Work vehicles such as tractors or other similar vehicles have instrumental panel mounted above the fuel tank. The packaging space consumed by the instrumental panel is 25 percentage of the fuel tank volume thereby reducing the fuel tank capacity. The reduction in fuel tank capacity leads to reduced usage of tractors or other similar vehicles in fields operation. Further, the instrumental panel is not clearly visible to the driver as the instrumental panel is placed between the fuel tank and the steering column.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a steering apparatus for mounting an instrument cluster in a vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks. Further, there exists a need for a steering apparatus for a vehicle.
OBJECTS

[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a steering apparatus for mounting an instrument cluster in a vehicle (tractor, off-road vehicle and the like), wherein the instrument cluster is in a stationary position on rotational movement of a steering wheel of the steering apparatus.
[005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a steering apparatus for a vehicle, which comprises a steering wheel shaft rotatably connected to a steering shaft, where the steering wheel shaft is spaced away from the steering shaft.
[006] Another object of embodiment of this invention is to provide a drive mechanism in a steering apparatus of a vehicle, which is used to rotatably connect a steering wheel shaft to a steering shaft.
[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 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 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 better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[009] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of a steering apparatus in a steering system of a vehicle, wherein the steering apparatus is used for mounting an instrument cluster in the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0010] Fig. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the steering apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0011] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of a steering apparatus in a steering system of a vehicle, wherein the steering apparatus is used for mounting an instrument cluster in the vehicle, according to another embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] Fig. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the steering apparatus, according to another embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0013] Fig. 5 depicts an exploded view of the steering apparatus, according to another embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0014] Fig. 6 depicts a perspective view of a steering apparatus in a steering system of a vehicle, wherein the steering apparatus is used for mounting an instrument cluster in the vehicle, according to yet another embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0015] Fig. 7 depicts a transparent perspective view of the steering apparatus, according to yet another embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0016] Fig. 8 depicts a cross-sectional view of the steering apparatus, according to yet another embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] 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 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 should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0018] The embodiments herein achieve a steering apparatus for mounting an instrument cluster in a vehicle (tractor, off-road vehicle and the like), wherein the instrument cluster is in a stationary position on rotational movement of a steering wheel of the steering apparatus. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 8, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0019] Fig. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the steering apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. Fig. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the steering apparatus 100, according to another embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. Fig. 8 depicts a cross-sectional view of the steering apparatus 100, according to yet another embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the steering system 10 of the vehicle comprises a steering apparatus 100, a steering shaft 10S, a steering column 10C, a steering shaft bearing 10B and may include other standard components as present in a standard steering system of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the steering apparatus 100 comprises a steering wheel 102, a steering wheel shaft 104, a steering wheel mounting member 106, a drive mechanism 108, an instrument cluster mounting assembly 110, a steering housing 112, a first cover 114 (considered to be top cover), a second cover 116 (considered to be side cover), a first locking element 118, a plurality of bearings (120A, 120B, 120C and 120D).
[0020] In one embodiment, the steering wheel 102 is rotatably connected to the steering wheel shaft 104 through the steering wheel mounting member 106 (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2). In another embodiment, the steering wheel 102 is directly connected to the steering wheel shaft 104 at a predetermined position (as shown in fig. 4, fig. 5, fig. 7 and fig. 8).
[0021] In one embodiment, the steering wheel shaft 104 is supported (rotatably supported) in the steering housing 112 through the first cover 114, the steering wheel mounting member 106, the first locking element 118 and corresponding bearing 120A (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2). In another embodiment, the steering wheel shaft 104 is supported (rotatably supported) in the steering housing 112 through the first cover 114 and corresponding bearing 120A (as shown in fig. 4 and fig. 5). In another embodiment, the steering wheel shaft 104 is directly and rotatably supported in the steering housing 112 through corresponding bearing (120A and 120B) as shown in fig. 7 and fig. 8. The steering wheel shaft 104 includes a support member receiving portion (considered to be through opening) adapted to receive corresponding support member 110S of the instrument cluster mounting assembly 110. The steering wheel shaft 104 is a hollow shaft. In one embodiment, the steering wheel shaft 104 and the steering shaft 10S rotates in same direction (as shown in fig. 1 to fig. 5) on rotational movement of the steering wheel 102. In another embodiment, the steering wheel shaft 104 and the steering shaft 10S rotates in opposite direction (as shown in fig. 6 to fig. 8) on rotational movement of the steering wheel 102. In one embodiment, the steering wheel shaft 104 is coaxial to the steering shaft 10S (as shown in fig. 1 to fig. 5), where a bottom end of the steering wheel shaft 104 is spaced away from the top end of the steering shaft 10S. In another embodiment, the steering wheel shaft 104 is spaced away and parallel to the steering shaft 10S (as shown in fig. 6 to fig. 8).
[0022] The steering wheel mounting member 106 is connected to the steering wheel shaft 104 at a predetermined position therein to facilitate mounting of the steering wheel 102 to the steering wheel mounting member 106 thereby rotatably connecting the steering wheel 102 to the steering wheel shaft 104.
[0023] The drive mechanism 108 is used to transmit the rotational movement of the steering wheel 102 to the steering shaft 10S. In one embodiment, the drive mechanism 108 is a gear drive mechanism 108 which comprises a driving gear 108F, an idler gear 108I, a driven gear 108D and an idler gear shaft 108S (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2). The driving gear 108F of the gear drive mechanism 108 is connected (laterally connected) to corresponding bottom end of the steering wheel shaft 104 at a predetermined position. The driving gear 108F is at least a bevel gear. The idler gear 108I is mounted to the idler shaft 108S at a predetermined position, and rotatably connected (engaged) to the driving gear 108F and the driven gear 108D thereby rotatably connecting the steering wheel shaft 104 to the steering shaft 10S (as shown in fig. 1 fig. 2, fig. 4 and fig. 5). The idler gear 108I is at least a bevel gear. The driven gear 108D is connected to the steering shaft 10S and rotatably connected (engaged) with the idler gear 108I thereby rotatably connecting the steering wheel 102 to the steering shaft 10S. The driven gear 108D is at least a bevel gear. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the driving gear 108F, the idler gear 108I and the driven gear of the gear drive mechanism 108 in form of helical gear or any other type of gears.
[0024] In another embodiment, the drive mechanism 108 is a gear drive mechanism 108 which comprises a driving gear 108F and a driven gear 108D (as shown in fig. 7 and fig. 8). The driving gear 108F of the gear drive mechanism 108 is connected (mounted) to the steering wheel shaft 104 at a predetermined position. The driving gear 108F is at least a spur gear. The driven gear 108D is connected (mounted) to the steering shaft 104 at a predetermined position, and rotatably connected (rotatably engaged) to the driving gear 108F thereby rotatably connecting the steering wheel 102 to the steering shaft 10S (as shown in fig. 7 and fig. 8). The driven gear 108D of the drive mechanism 108 is at least a spur gear. The driving gear 108F and the driven gear 108D rotates in opposite direction on rotational movement of the steering wheel 102. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the driving gear 108F and the driven gear 108D in form of form of helical gear or any other type of gears.
[0025] In another embodiment, the drive mechanism (108) is a pulley and belt drive mechanism which comprises a driving pulley (not shown), a driven pulley (not shown) and a belt (not shown). The driving pulley (not shown) of the pulley and belt drive mechanism is connected to the steering wheel shaft (104) at a predetermined position. The driven pulley (not shown) is connected to the steering shaft (10S) at a predetermined position. The belt is used to rotatably connect the driving pulley to the driven pulley thereby rotatably connecting the steering wheel (102) to the steering shaft (104). The pulley and belt drive mechanism is considered to be an pulley and open belt drive mechanism. The pulley and belt drive mechanism could be a pulley and crossed belt drive mechanism.
[0026] In another embodiment, the drive mechanism (108) is a sprocket and chain drive mechanism which comprises a driving sprocket (not shown), a driven sprocket (not shown) and at least one chain (not shown). The driving sprocket (not shown) of the sprocket and chain drive mechanism is connected to the steering wheel shaft (104) at a predetermined position. The driven sprocket (not shown) is connected to the steering shaft (10S) at a predetermined position. The chain (not shown) is used to rotatably connect the driving sprocket (not shown) to the driven sprocket (not shown) thereby rotatably connecting the steering wheel (102) to the steering shaft (104). The pulley and belt drive mechanism could be at least one of a flat belt and pulley drive mechanism, a rope (circular) belt and pulley drive mechanism, a V-belt and pulley drive mechanism, a timing (toothed) belt and pulley drive mechanism, compound belt and pulley drive mechanism, a compound sprocket and chain drive mechanism, a serpentine chain and sprocket drive mechanism. However, the pulley and belt drive mechanism could be a turned belt and pulley drive mechanism and a serpentine belt and pulley drive mechanism.
[0027] The instrument cluster mounting assembly 110 comprises a support member 110S and an instrument cluster mounting member 110M. The support member 110S is received by the support member receiving portion (through opening) to provide the support member 110S inside the steering wheel shaft 104 and supported in the steering housing 112, the first cover 114 and the first locking element 118. The instrument cluster mounting member 110M is used to mount the instrument cluster C. The instrument cluster mounting member 110M is connected to the support member 110S at a predetermine position.
[0028] The steering housing 112 is connected to the steering column 10C at a predetermined position. The first cover 114 is top cover adapted to be connected to the steering housing 112 at a predetermined position. The second cover 116 is a side cover adapted to be connected to the steering housing 112 at a predetermined position. The first locking element 118 is used for locking the support member 110S of the instrument cluster mounting assembly 110 to the first cover 114. The plurality of bearing (120A and 120B) is used to rotatably support the steering wheel shaft 104 in the first cover 114 and the steering housing 112.
[0029] The instrumental cluster C is adapted to be mounted the instrument cluster mounting member 110M of the instrumental cluster mounting assembly 110 immediately above the mounting position of the steering wheel 102 and provided inwards of the steering wheel 102, and the instrument cluster C is in a stationary position on rotational movement of the steering wheel 102.
[0030] The working of the steering apparatus 100 is as follows. When the operator (person driving the vehicle) engages the steering wheel 102 to steer the vehicle in a predefined direction, the steering wheel 102 turns the steering wheel shaft 104 which in turn drives the drive mechanism 108 to rotate (turn) the steering shaft 10S thereby controlling the directional motion of the vehicle.
[0031] 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 embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein. ,CLAIMS:STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A steering apparatus 100 for mounting an instrument cluster C in a vehicle, said steering apparatus 100 comprising:
a steering wheel 102 adapted to be rotatably connected to a steering wheel shaft 104;
a drive mechanism 108 adapted to rotatably connect said steering wheel shaft 104 to a steering shaft 10S thereby rotatably connecting said steering wheel 102 to said steering shaft 10S;
an instrument cluster mounting assembly 110 comprising at least one a support member 110S adapted to be provided inside of said steering wheel shaft 104 and supported in a steering housing 112, and an instrument cluster mounting member 110M adapted to be connected to said support member 110S at a predetermined position,
wherein
the instrumental cluster C is adapted to be mounted onto said instrument cluster mounting member 110M of said instrumental cluster mounting assembly 110 immediately above the mounting position of said steering wheel 102 and provided inwards of said steering wheel 102, and the instrument cluster C is in a stationary position on rotational movement of said steering wheel 102.

2. The steering apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive mechanism 108 is a gear drive mechanism comprising,
a driving gear 108F adapted to be connected to said steering wheel shaft 104 at a predetermined position;
a driven gear 108D adapted to be connected to said steering shaft 10S at a predetermined position; and
at least one idler gear 108I adapted to be mounted onto an idler shaft 108S at a predetermined position, and rotatably connected to said driving gear 108F and said driven gear 108D thereby rotatably connecting said steering wheel shaft 104 to said steering shaft 10S.

3. The steering apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 2, wherein said driving gear 108F of said drive mechanism 108 is at least a driving bevel gear,
wherein said idler gear 108I is at least an idler bevel gear,
wherein said driven gear 108D is at least a driven bevel gear,
wherein said steering wheel shaft 104 and said steering shaft 10S rotates in same direction.

4. The steering apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said steering wheel shaft 104 is co-axial and parallel to said steering shaft 10S, where a bottom end of said steering wheel shaft 104 is spaced away from a top end of said steering shaft 10S.
5. The steering apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive mechanism 108 could be a gear drive mechanism 108 comprising,
a driving gear 108F adapted to be connected to said steering wheel shaft 104 at a predetermined position
a driven gear 108D adapted to be connected to said steering shaft 10S and rotatably connected to said driving gear 108F thereby rotatably connecting said steering wheel shaft 104 to said steering shaft 10S.

6. The steering apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 5, wherein said driving gear 108F of said drive mechanism 108 is at least a spur gear,
wherein said driven gear 108D is at least a spur gear,
wherein said driving gear 108F and said driven gear 108D rotates in opposite direction.

7. The steering apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 6, wherein said steering wheel shaft 104 is spaced away from said steering shaft 10S, where said steering wheel shaft 104 is parallel to said steering shaft 10S,
wherein said steering wheel shaft 104 and said steering shaft 10S rotates in opposite direction.

8. The steering apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive mechanism (108) could be pulley and belt drive mechanism comprising,
a driving pulley adapted to be connected to said steering wheel shaft (104) at a predetermined position;
a driven pulley adapted to be connected to said steering shaft (10S) at a predetermined position; and
a belt adapted to be rotatably connect said driving pulley to said driven pulley thereby rotatably connecting said steering wheel shaft (104) to said steering shaft (10S).

9. The steering apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 8, wherein said belt of said pulley and belt drive mechanism 104 is at least one of a pulley and open belt drive mechanism, and pulley and a cross belt drive mechanism.

10. The steering apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive mechanism (108) could be a sprocket and chain drive mechanism comprising,
a driving sprocket adapted to be connected to said steering wheel shaft (104) at a predetermined position;
a driven sprocket adapted to be connected to said steering shaft (10S) at a predetermined position; and
a chain adapted to be rotatably connect said driving sprocket to said driven sprocket thereby rotatably connecting said steering wheel shaft (104S) to said steering shaft (10S).
11. A steering apparatus 100 for a vehicle, said steering apparatus 100 comprising:
a steering wheel 102 adapted to be rotatably connected to a steering wheel shaft 104; and
a drive mechanism 108 adapted to rotatably connect said steering wheel shaft 104 to a steering shaft 10S thereby rotatably connecting said steering wheel 102 to said steering shaft 10S.

12. The steering apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 11, wherein said drive mechanism 108 is at least one of a gear drive mechanism, a pulley and belt drive mechanism, and a sprocket and chain drive mechanism.