TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention is related to a mechanism and interlock system used in positioning, and fixation in this position, of steering wheel in motor vehicles, particularly in heavy-duty vehicles.

PRIOR ART

There are a lot of mechanisms the telescopic and tilt adjustment of which is made by means of a lever, and interlocked again by this lever, for the sake of positioning and height adjustment of steering wheels - used for directing the motor vehicles - angularly according to driver. In these systems, position of steering wheel is determined by means of gears. However, the interlock system is controlled by moving in different directions the lever used for tilt and telescopic adjustments. Here, it is possible to get the next position only after adjustment of a certain position. This in turn causes a disadvantage. In addition, it is also commonly seen and reported that users may confuse the direction of interlock lever and may position the same in positions different from what they desire, and may face difficulty in adjustment thereof. 7° and above gear adjustment steps are used in the existing and currently employed systems. This also in turn prevents sensitive adjustments. The invention covered by this patent application is developed due to controlling chaos, long lever length and similar other disadvantages of the known systems. Useful model, no. 2011/04546, titled “Ergonomic adjustment mechanism for steering wheels of tractors and heavy-duty equipments” is summarized as follows: “This invention is comprised of a rotary motion pipe complex linked to steering column and ensuring the raising and lowering of steering column, and a mile complex ensuring stroke movement and used for interlocking it after stroke movement, and a bellows protecting the open-air components by its telescopic movement, and a bellows and clamping collar ensuring the connection of bellows to steering column, and a nut connecting steering column to steering wheel, and a washer and a nut connecting the wedge and steering column to ergonomic clamping nut, and an ergonomic clamping nut and logo cover transmitting the interlocking movement to internal mechanism of mile.”

In the document, publication number EP1923296B1 , the invention is summarized as follows:“The invention is related to a steering column, characterized in that the steering wheel therein is connected to a hinged shaft stretching out along the steering pipe, and that its first telescopic component is located in a bottom end mountable to a support, and its second component located at its top end is fastened to the first component for rotation around an articulatory axis, and also that a control component inside said steering column may, with the intention of adjusting the angular position of steering wheel around the articulatory axis, be moved against the slope of spring towards a functional position aiming to eject a mile component out of some holes located on a component which is integrated to one of two positions of the steering pipe.”

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a gear mechanism developed on steering columns in order to eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages and to bring new advantages to the relevant technical field.

The purposes of the present invention are to achieve tilt telescopic adjustment positioning interlock with the help of a single lever or latch, and to eliminate the controlling chaos (such as forward-backward, down-up, etc.) in the existing systems, and to eliminate the need felt for long arm length in single-lever double way operating arm systems, and to avoid ergonomic discontentment such as flexions in long operating arm by means of a latch system in the form of a short handle. Another purpose of the present invention is to prevent disintegration of system under tough road conditions by providing an extra interlock by means of a locking trigger integrated to the latch for the sake of a second safety. Against 7-8° gear pitches employed in other gear systems, 5° gear pitch is used in this invention due to its more sensitive adjustment opportunity. In the invention, particularly telescopic stroke and tilt angle provide the opportunity to adjust to the desired values through special stops. In the gear system interlock of the invention, the latch system locking and unlocking the system may, if desired, be converted into a side-tightening system.

Another purpose of the present invention is to create a simpler structure, to provide ease in mounting by means of a monoblock aluminium body, and to provide ease in production and cost advantage by means of a single-piece skin casing.

Drawings

Applications of this invention which is briefly summarized in the preceding paragraphs and is to be thoroughly described in more details hereinbelow may be understood with reference to the example applications of the invention as depicted in the drawings attached hereto. However, it should also be clearly stated that the drawings attached hereto depict and describe only the typical applications of this invention, and as the invention may also permit other equipotent applications for this reason, the drawings will in no event be assumed to have limited or restricted the scope of this invention.

Drawing 1 shows a general view of a front-lever adjustable steering column of the invention prepared for trucks and buses.

Drawing 2 shows a perspective and sectional view of top group of steering column of the invention as demonstrated in Drawing 1.

Drawing 3 shows a perspective view of bottom gear group of steering column of the invention as demonstrated in Drawing 1. Drawing 4 shows a perspective and side view of top telescopic interlock group of steering column of the invention as demonstrated in Drawing 1.

Drawing 5 shows side and front sectional views of directions of movement of steering column of the invention as demonstrated in Drawing 1.

Drawing 6 shows a general view of a side-lever adjustable steering column of the invention prepared for military vehicles through an alternative embodiment.

Drawing 7 shows a general view of a front-lever adjustable steering column of the invention prepared for military vehicles and heavy-duty equipments through another alternative embodiment.

Drawing 8 shows side and front sectional views of embodiment of the invention as demonstrated in Drawing 7.

Drawing 9 shows perspective, side and sectional views of telescopic outer casing interlock striker in alternative embodiment of the invention as demonstrated in Drawing 6 and Drawing 7.

Drawing 10 shows perspective, side and sectional views of cam compression interlock group in embodiment of the invention as demonstrated in Drawing 6. Drawing 11 shows a perspective view of cam compression top interlock group in embodiment of the invention as demonstrated in Drawing 6.

Drawing 12 shows side and front sectional views of embodiment of the invention as demonstrated in Drawing 6.

Drawing 13 shows perspective and side sectional views of linkage group in embodiment of the invention as demonstrated in Drawing 7.

For the sake of clarity, if and when possible, identical reference numbers are used in order to refer to the identical elements used jointly in the drawings. Drawings are not scaled, and may be further simplified for clarification purposes. It is believed that the elements and specifications of an application may be usefully included in or transferred to other applications as well, without any further description thereon.

Description of Details in Drawings:

Reference numbers shown in the drawings are described hereinbelow: 1- Top group

1.1 - Aluminium body

1.2- Steering linkage mile

1.3- Gear shaft

1.4- Gear bushing

1.5- Bearing

1.6- Steering arm ports

1.7- Steering lock

2- Linkage group

2.1 - Linkage casing

2.2- Hinge connecting shaft

2.3- Powertrain

2.4- Safety lock

2.5- Release lever

2.6- Tensioning shaft

3- Bottom gear group

3.1 - Casing

3.2- Gear plate

3.3- Bolt

3.4- Interlock roller

3.5- Bushing

3.6- Spring

3.7- Fixing slots

4- Telescopic interlock group 4.1 - Internal-tab washer

4.2- Locking latch

4.3- Tilt latch plate

4.4- Dowel spring pin

4.5- Geared bolt

4.6- Spring

4.7- Top lug

4.8- Lock striker gear 4.9- Latch pin

5- Cam compression interlock group

5.1 - Linkage

5.2- Release lever

5.3- Push button

5.4- Interlock bushing

5.5- Spring

5.6- Plastic spacer

5.7- Interlock pin

5.8- Bushing rod

6.1 - Linkage plate

6.2- Clamping bushing

7- Telescopic lock striker

7.1 - Outer casing

7.2- Telescopic gear plate

7.3- Plastic bushing

10- Steering column

20- Side-lever steering column

30- Front-lever steering column

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred alternatives of steering columns (10, 20, 30) covered by this invention as referred to in this detailed description of the invention are depicted and described herein solely for the sake of clarity and in such manner not to lead to any restrictive or limiting effect thereon.

This invention is related to a steering column (10) as shown in Drawing 1 , characterized in that it is composed of a top group (1 ) shown in Drawing 2, a bottom gear group (3) shown in Drawing 3, a telescopic interlock group (4) shown in Drawing 4 and a linkage group (2) shown in Drawing 13, enabling the driver of motor vehicles to adjust the position of steering for ergonomic purposes as shown in Drawing 5, and to manually adjust the position of steering forward-backward and up-down by a single control.

In the invention, Drawing 1 indicates a steering column (10) developed and prepared particularly for heavy-duty equipments such as trucks and buses. Top group (1 ) shown in Drawing 2 contains steering linkage mile (1.2) linked to steering wheel of steering column (10), and its aluminium body (1.1 ) constituting its outer casing, as well as its gear shaft (1.3), plastic gear bushing (1.5) preventing friction, bearing (1.6) and steering arm ports (1.7) for signal lever, windscreen wipers and similar other functions, and steering lock (1.8).

Bottom gear group (3) shown in Drawing 3 in the invention contains a casing (3.1 ) used for linkage of steering arm (10) to the vehicle, and gear plate (3.2) used for forward and backward movements and fixation, and bolt (3.3) to which top group (1 ) is linked, and interlock roller (3.4) used for adjustment of positions through forward and backward movements and by keeping at the desired position with 5° gaps, and bushing (3.5), springs (3.6), as well as fixing slots (3.7) used for fixation of steering column (10) on the vehicle. Telescopic interlock group (4) shown in Drawing 3 in the invention contains an internal-tab washer (4.1 ), a locking latch (4.2), a tilt latch plate (4.3), a dowel spring pin (4.4), a geared bolt (4.5), a spring (4.6), a top lug (4.7), a latch pin (4.9) and a lock striker gear (4.8). Linkage group (2) shown in Drawing 3 in the invention contains a linkage casing

(2.1 ), a hinge connecting shaft (2.2), a powertrain (2.3), a safety lock (2.4), a release lever (2.5) and a tensioning shaft (2.6).

In the invention, Drawing 5 indicates the up and down and the forward and backward movements of steering column. Here, to open the release lever (2.5), first, the safety lock (2.4) is unlocked. Once the release lever (2.5) is opened, tensioning shaft (2.6) withdraws and transmits motion to telescopic interlock group (4). This motion in turn activates tilt latch plate (4.3) and telescopic locking latch (4.2), and the lock is unlocked upon release of top group (1 ) from telescopic gear plate (7.2) and release of bottom gear group (3) from gear plate (3.2). In this position, steering column (10) can be freely and sensitively adjusted both up and down and forward and backward. Once the lock is unlocked, at the same time, steering wheel can be held for up and down or forward and backward positioning, thereby giving the desired position to it. For up and down positioning, top group (1 ) is slid and left at the desired position with the help of plastic gear bushing (1.5) preventing friction, while for up and down movement, it is slid over the linkage casing (2.1 ). For forward and backward tilt (angular) adjustment, top group (1 ) and linkage group (2) are moved forward and backward inside bottom gear group (3) with the help of linkage bolts (3.3) and springs (3.6) used for centering purposes, and are left at the desired position.

In the invention, in fixing the steering column (10) at the adjusted positions, tensioning shaft (2.6) is activated by downward pushing of the release lever (2.5) in linkage group (2). Telescopic interlock group (4) is activated thanks to tensioning shaft (2.6). This motion ensures locking effect with tilt latch plate (4.3) pressing on gear plate (3.2) and with top lugs (4.7) at the end of locking latch (4.2) pressing on telescopic gear plate (7.2).

Drawing 6 indicates an alternative embodiment developed for use of invention in military vehicles. Flere, cam compression interlock group (5) is used for release and locking of top group (1 ) for the sake of up-down and forward-backward movements of steering column (20). Cam compression interlock group (5) is composed of linkage (5.1 ), release lever (5.2), push button (5.3), interlock bushing (5.4), spring (5.5), plastic spacer (5.6), interlock pin (5.7) and bushing rod (5.8). In this alternative embodiment, telescopic lock striker (7) is designed as indicated in Drawing 9. Telescopic gear plate (7.2) is welded to the outer casing (7.1 ). In this embodiment developed for use in military vehicles, push button (5.3) is pressed, thereby withdrawing interlock pin (5.7) in order to open the mechanism. Release lever (5.2) is turned downwards so as to activate interlock bushing (5.4), and thereupon, clamping bushing (6.2) locked under the pressure of interlock bushing (5.4) is opened and released. With this release, telescopic lock striker (7), other than top group (1 ) with up and down movement, is slid and left at the desired position with the help of plastic bushing (7.3) preventing friction. For backward and forward tilt (angular) adjustments, top group (1 ) is moved forward and backward inside the bottom gear group (3) and held at the desired positions at 5° gaps and its position is thus adjusted with the help of linkage bolts (3.3) and springs (3.6). After adjustment of its position, if locking is desired, release lever (5.2) is pulled upwards, and interlock bushing (5.4) is turned, and as a result of pressure exerted on clamping bushing (6.2), telescopic interlock group (4) structured as shown in Drawing 11 is activated. This motion ensures locking effect with tilt latch plate (4.3) pressing on gear plate (3.2) and with top lugs (4.7) on the top of locking latch (4.2) pressing on telescopic gear plate (7.2).

Drawing 7 demonstrates another alternative embodiment of this invention developed for use in military vehicles and heavy-duty equipments. Here, bottom gear group (3) used for linkage of steering column (30) to vehicle is connected perpendicularly from the base of vehicle. Telescopic lock striker (7) of top group (1 ) is structured as shown in Drawing 6, and telescopic gear plate (7.2) is also welded herein. Also in this alternative embodiment, to open the release lever (2.5), first, the safety lock (2.4) is unlocked. Once the release lever (2.5) is opened, tensioning shaft (2.6) withdraws and transmits motion to telescopic interlock group (4). This motion in turn activates tilt latch plate (4.3) and telescopic locking latch (4.2), and the lock is unlocked upon release of top group (1 ) from telescopic gear plate (7.2) and release of bottom gear group (3) from gear plate (3.2). In this position, steering column (30) can be freely and sensitively adjusted both up and down and forward and backward. Once the lock is unlocked, at the same time, steering wheel can be held for up and down or forward and backward positioning, thereby giving the desired position to it. For up and down positioning, top group (1 ) is slid and left at the desired position with the help of plastic gear bushing (1.5) preventing friction, while for up and down movement, it is slid over the linkage casing (2.1 ). For forward and backward tilt (angular) adjustment, top group (1 ) and linkage group (2) are moved forward and backward inside bottom gear group (3) with the help of linkage bolts (3.3) and springs (3.6) used for centering purposes, and are left at the desired position. In fixing the steering column (30) at the adjusted positions, tensioning shaft (2.6) is activated by downward pushing of the release lever (2.5) in linkage group (2). Telescopic interlock group (4) is activated thanks to tensioning shaft (2.6). This motion ensures locking effect with tilt latch plate (4.3) pressing on gear plate (3.2) and with top lugs (4.7) on the top of locking latch (4.2) pressing on telescopic gear plate (7.2).