EP4149828A1

EP4149828A1 - Internal device having an excentric bearing for a steering column

Info

Publication number: EP4149828A1
Application number: EP21734511.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jacques Lagarrigue; Thierry Navarro
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-06-16
Filing date: 2021-06-15
Publication date: 2023-03-22
Also published as: WO2021255649A1; US20230278659A1; CN115697827A; JP2023531161A

Abstract

Provided is an internal device for a vehicle steering column intended to facilitate driving round bends by changing the alignment of the front and rear wheels of the vehicle, by a transverse/lateral offset, using an eccentric bearing retaining a portion of the shaft of said steering column.

Description

INTERNAL ECCENTRIC BEARING STEERING COLUMN DEVICE

Technical area

The present invention relates to an internal vehicle steering column device for facilitating driving in curves by changing the alignment of the front and rear wheels of the vehicle.

This system is particularly designed to adapt to any type of steering and can be mounted on existing steering columns or integrated in the realization of steering column of new vehicles or other vehicles. More particularly, the device according to the invention is configured to replace the bearings of the mechanism inside the traditional steering column preferably without having to change the axis of the steering column.

The device comprises an eccentric spherical bearing preferably disposed on the upper part of the steering column axis and a concentric spherical bearing preferably placed on the lower part of the steering column axis.

State of the art

The internal mechanisms of vehicle steering columns are mainly produced by using G concentric bearings so as to induce a perfectly coaxial rotation between the rotational movement of the handlebars and that of the wheel along the axis of the steering column. The tilt angle or caster angle of the steering column is also fixed.

However, there are several inventions described in US3866946A, EP1841640B1 intended to be able to modify the inclination angle or caster angle of the column by using two concentric bearings placed in two frets or eccentric retaining elements. These systems thus make it possible to adjust the angle of inclination or longitudinal caster angle of the steering column as a function of the eccentricity of the frets or bearing retaining elements. According to the invention US3866946A, the inclination of the steering column guide axis is achieved by two bearing elements each comprising an eccentric opening opposite to the other by 180 ° which remain fixed in the longitudinal axis of the vehicle formed by the front and rear wheels. According to the invention EP1841640B1, the inclination of the steering column guide axis is achieved by adjustable elements making it possible to adjust the caster angle of the steering column in a predefined manner without having to remove the fixing elements and guide for the steering column axis.

The transverse inclination of the steering column guide axis, however, remains fixed or static for a set of frets, retainers installed or angle adjustment defined at both ends of the steering column axis.

According to these inventions, during driving in a straight line and in a curve, the guide axis of the steering column remains aligned in the longitudinal plane of the front and rear wheels of the vehicle, it is therefore impossible to vary the angle d 'transverse tilt guiding the column dynamically while driving in bends or bends.

The main problem encountered while driving is that during a curve, the front wheel of the vehicle pivots along the axis of the steering column, which is generally not vertical. In the case of a two-wheeled vehicle, this forces the driver to have to tilt the vehicle sideways to properly engage the vehicle in the oblique path according to the curve to follow. This movement thus facilitates the change of direction of the vehicle but the fixed angle of the steering column limits the possible inclination of the vehicle which is dangerous when the driver leans too much or during a sudden avoidance because the wheel before tackling the road and the pilot loses control of the vehicle.

Disclosure of the invention A main aim of the present invention is therefore to provide an internal steering column device making it possible to move transversely, all or part, of the guide axis of the steering column, preferably of the front wheel. , simultaneously with the rotation of the handlebars, which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art. To this end, the present invention relates more particularly to an internal steering column device, of the type mentioned above, characterized in that the system comprises at least part of the steering column axis placed, connected or preferably integral. , eccentrically, and / or optionally obliquely, in a rotary guide element such as a rolling bearing or bearing.

The present invention also relates to a rolling or spherical bearing intended to be securely attached to the axis of the steering column eccentrically.

The present invention also relates to a bearing or concentric bearing intended to be fixedly fixed on the axis of the steering column obliquely. Thanks to these characteristics, the device makes it possible to dynamically modify the transverse angle of inclination of the guide axis of the steering column or to shift it laterally during the rotation of the axis of the steering column without having to change. the guiding elements of the steering column. It is designed in such a way that it can replace existing bearings on the steering columns, thus allowing the benefits to be obtained without having to change the steering column.

The system is designed to be robust, interchangeable and possibly reversible in order to guarantee safety and avoid any maintenance.

Brief description of the drawings The present invention will be better understood on reading the description of the examples given, purely as an indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top view of the eccentric spherical bearing;

Figure 1a shows a view along section A-A of Figure 1; - Figure lb shows a schematic top view of the alignment of the front and rear wheel of a vehicle

FIG. 2 represents a front sectional view of the internal device of the steering column in the upright position; FIG. 2a represents a front sectional view of the internal device of the steering column in the rotational position;

Figure 3 shows a front sectional view of the internal device of the steering column in the rotational position of a second variant of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a front sectional view of the internal device of the steering column in the rotational position of a third variant of the invention;

Figure 5 shows a front sectional view of the internal device of the steering column in the rotational position of a fourth variant of the invention;

Figure 6 shows a front sectional view of the internal device of the steering column in the rotational position of a fifth variant of the invention;

Figure 7 shows a front sectional view of the internal device of the steering column in the rotational position of a sixth variant of the invention;

Figure 8 shows a sectional view of an eccentric spherical bearing;

Figure 9 shows a front sectional view of the internal device of the steering column in the rotational position of a seventh variant of the invention;

Figure 10 shows a front sectional view of the internal device of the steering column in the rotational position of an eighth variant of the invention;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective side view of the internal device of the steering column, the bearings of which are not coaxial and have come out of the steering column, of a ninth variant of the invention;

Figure 11a shows a front view of Figure 11

Figure 11b shows a view along section A-A of Figure l ia

Figure 11 shows a side view of figure 11

Figure 1d shows a view along section B -B of figure lie

Methods of carrying out the invention

According to FIGS. 1, 1a, 1b, 2, 2a, the internal steering column device (9) according to a first embodiment, as illustrated in particular by FIG. 2, comprises an eccentric ball joint element (1), preferably in the form of a rolling or bearing, a concentric spherical element (20), preferably in the form of a rolling or bearing, placed on a steering column axle (10). The eccentric ball member (1) preferably has a opening (4) placed eccentrically, in the inner ring (3), on the axis (14) with respect to the center (17) of the eccentric ball member (1) in which the axis of the steering column ( 10) is maintained jointly and severally.

The elements (1, 10, 20) of the internal steering column device (9) are placed in a hollow tube (not shown) generally called the steering column and which is normally part of the vehicle frame.

The fork tubes (not illustrated) are integrally fixed to the tube retaining supports (not illustrated), themselves fixed integrally with the lower and upper part of the steering column axis (10) according to a common execution in the construction of steering column of two-wheeled vehicle.

The eccentric ball member (1) preferably comprises rollers (5) placed around an inner ring (3) and held in place by an outer ring (2). The rollers (5) are integrally connected between and can freely pivot along the profile (6) of the outer ring (2). According to Figure lb, the front wheel (96) is aligned with the rear wheel (97) along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (93). In a normal configuration of a two-wheeled vehicle, the pivoting of the front wheel, by rotation on the guide axis of the steering column, takes place on the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (93) at the point of contact (94) between the tire and the road.

According to Figures lb, 2 and 2a, in the upright driving position, the axis of rotation (30 ') of the axis of the steering column (10) is "coaxial" in the transverse plane (95) to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (93) with the common axis of rotation (30) of the eccentric ball member (1) and the concentric ball member (20), corresponding to the normal steering column guide axis . The axis of the steering column (10) pivots transversely to the maximum of an angle (B), represented by the axes (30, 30 ') during the rotation of the axis of the steering column (10) formed by the eccentric displacement of the opening (4), preferably secured by a key (8) with the axis of the steering column (10) and maintaining the axis of the steering column (10) in the concentric ball joint element (20).

The transverse change of angle from 0 to (B) thus produced on the guide axis of the steering column, by turning the handlebars of the vehicle, makes it possible to dynamically modify the alignment front and rear wheels (warping) along the axis (93 ') during curves while driving, which makes the vehicle more manageable. The offset between the axles (93) and (93 ') produces an offset (98) of the rotating front wheel (96') on the road with the rear wheel (97) at the angle from 0 to (B) depending the length of the fork and the diameter of the wheels as well as the angle of rotation of the axis of the steering column (10). The offset (98) thus obtained can be either on the side corresponding to the change in trajectory of the vehicle or on its opposite depending on whether the position of the opening (4) is placed eccentrically on one side or the other of the center (17 ), through which normally passes the axis of rotation of the steering column axis (10), which is itself normally coaxial with the guide axis of the steering column. According to the settings chosen in the design of the invention, the offset (98) resulting from the offset of the wheels on the ground is preferably between 0 and 20mm. Driving is therefore improved in curves and increased safety during avoidance.

Variants of the invention According to another variant not shown, the position of the concentric ball joint member (20) on the axis of the steering column (10) can be inverted with the eccentric ball joint member

(1).

Figure 8 illustrates a spherical bearing (81) with an eccentric opening (84) placed in the inner ring (83) which can replace the eccentric ball member (1). According to a second variant of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 3, the axis of the steering column (10) is secured and placed on its upper part in an eccentric ball-joint element (31) and on its lower part in a 180 ° opposite eccentric ball-joint member (320). When rotating the steering column axis (10), the two opposing eccentric movements cause the steering column axis (10) to rotate transversely, at most, by an angle (B), represented by the axes (30, 30 '), thus creating the offset (98) as previously described.

According to a third variant of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 4, the axis of the steering column (10) is secured and placed obliquely on its upper part in an eccentric rolling element (41) and on its lower part. in a concentric ball member (420). When rotating the axis of the steering column (10), the eccentric movement on the upper part in the eccentric rolling element element (41) rotates the axis of the steering column (10) transversely, at most, by an angle (B), represented by the axes (30, 30 '), thus creating the offset (98) as previously described.

According to a fourth variant of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 5, the internal steering column device (59) comprises a steering column axis (510) formed by an oblique part (510 ') coaxial on the link (511). ) with a second part (510 ”). The steering column axle part (510 ") is placed in a concentric bearing element (51) and its second part (510") is placed and fixed integrally in an eccentric ball joint element (520). During the rotation of the axis of the steering column (510), the eccentric movement on the part (510 ') follows the oblique between the two parts (510', 510 ”) of the axis of the steering column. direction (510) forming, at most, a transverse angle (B), represented by the axes (30, 30 '), thus creating the offset (98) as previously described.

According to a fifth variant of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 6, the internal steering column device (69) comprises a steering column axis (610) formed by an oblique part (610 ') offset on the link (611). ) with a second part (610 ”). The steering column axle part (610 ") is placed in a concentric bearing element (61) and its second part (610") is placed in a concentric ball joint element (620). During the rotation of the axis of the steering column (610), the eccentric movement on the part (610 ') follows the oblique between the two parts (610', 610 ”) of the axis of the steering column. direction (610) forming, at most, a transverse angle (B), represented by the axes (30, 30 '), thus creating the offset (98) as previously described.

According to a sixth variant of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 7, the internal steering column device (79) comprises an axis of the steering column (710) formed by an oblique part (710 ') coaxial on the link ( 711) with a second part (710 ”). The part of the steering column axis (710 ”) is placed in an eccentric rolling element (71) and its second part (710 ') placed in a rolling element (720) obliquely. During the rotation of the axis of the steering column (710), the eccentric movement on the part (710 ') follows the oblique between the two parts (710', 710 ”) of the axis of the steering column. direction (710) forming, at most, a transverse angle (B), represented by the axes (30, 30 '), thus creating the offset (98) as previously described. According to a seventh variant of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 9, the internal steering column device (99) comprises an axis of the steering column (910) formed by an oblique part (910 ') coaxial on the link ( 911) with a second oblique part (910 ”). The part of the steering column axis (910 ”) is placed in a concentric rolling element (91) obliquely and its second part (910 ') placed in a rolling element (920) obliquely. When rotating the steering column axis (910), the oblique movements on the parts (910 ', 910 ”) of the steering column axis (910) form, at most, an angle ( B) transverse, represented by the axes (30, 30 '), thus creating the offset (98) as previously described.

The connections (511, 611, 711, 911) can be made in the form of an assembly by welding, machining, gimbal or any suitable means.

According to an eighth variant of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 10, the internal steering column device (1099) comprises a steering column axis (1910) formed by a part (1910 ') off-center on the link (1911) with a second part (1910 ”). The part of the steering column axle (1910 ”) is placed in a concentric bearing element (191) and its second lower part (1910 ') placed in a bearing element (920) eccentrically and parallel to the part (1910 ”). When rotating the steering column axis (1910), the offset between the parts (1910 ', 1910 ”) of the steering column axis (1910) moves transversely / sideways, at most, by the distance (1930), the guide axis the steering column (1099) in a manner similar to the previous variants of the invention. In this case, the offset (98) is equal to the distance (1930) because there is no pivoting of the guide axis of the steering column but a direct transverse / lateral translation thereof. This is particularly useful for providing independent offset (98) of such things as fork length or wheel diameter. In this variant, the caster angle is not affected by the invention, which may also be desired depending on the vehicle dynamics desired.

According to a ninth variant of the invention, illustrated in Figures 11 to ld, the internal steering column device (109) comprises an axis of the steering column (110) placed at one end in a concentric ball joint member ( 120) and at its second end in an opening (104) placed eccentrically in the inner ring (113) of a concentric bearing (101) whose outer elements are not illustrated. When the two bearing elements (101, 120) are placed coaxially in the steering column, the normal guide axis of the steering column forms with the axis of the steering column (110) an angle (B ), represented by the axes (30, 30 ').

A ball joint (124) placed on the axis of the steering column (110) is positioned in the opening (104) and comprises at least one flat (134) allowing the axis of the steering column to be integrally pivoted ( 110) with the inner ring (113) during its rotation around the axis (30).

A sleeve (not shown) is preferably attached to the upper part (144) of the steering column shaft (110) so as to allow its installation on the vehicle and easily adapt to different models of steering columns.

When the axis of the steering column (110) is in the straight-ahead driving position, the angle (B) has no influence on the transverse alignment of the front wheel with the rear wheel of the vehicle. When the axis of the steering column (110) pivots to point to the right or to the left, the angle (B) transversely off-centers the front wheel from the rear wheel of the vehicle thereby creating the offset (98) such as described above and induces the "warping" or spin movement desired to improve the handling of the vehicle,

According to several variant embodiments of the invention, the following modifications and / or additions can be made to the embodiments as previously described: - Each fixed or ball bearing element (1, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 91, 101, 120, 320,

420, 520, 620, 720, 920) can be produced in the form of ball bearings, roller bearings, needle bearings, bearings or any other similar means.

- Each ball joint element can be formed by a concentric ball joint bearing or any other type of mechanism allowing the rotation and pivoting of the axis of the steering column (10, 110, 510, 610).

- The opening (4) can have any shape such as, for example, round, square, rectangular, oval or according to any geometric profile. - When the opening (4) is round, its retention integral with the eccentric spherical bearing (1) can be achieved with a key or any other mechanical means.

- The rolling elements preferably have an outside diameter of less than 80 mm.

- The opening (4) preferably has a section greater than 1 cm2.

- The thickness of the rolling elements is preferably greater than 5 mm.

- The distance between the upper and lower rolling elements of the steering column axis is preferably greater than 50 mm.

- The eccentricity of the axis (14), distance (15) or distance (1930) between the axis of rotation of the rolling elements (1, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 101, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720) and the relative position of the opening (4, 84, 104) receiving all or part of the axis of the steering column (10, 110, 510, 710, 1910) is preferably greater than 2 mm.

In a variant not shown, the steering column axis or one of its parts can be made so as to form directly part of the inner ring (3, 83, 113) of at least one of the rolling elements. previously described. In this case, the steering column axle is no longer detachable from the opening (4, 84, 104) which can be useful to reduce production costs or to realize special steering column mechanisms.

In another variant not shown, all or part of the steering column axis can have any type of section, round, oval, square, rectangular or according to any geometric profile.

In another variant not shown, the steering column axis can be made from

Although the invention is described according to several embodiments, there are other variants which are not presented and which may also be combinations or part of the variants previously described. The scope of the invention is therefore not limited to the embodiments described above.

Claims

1. Internal steering column device (9, 59, 69, 79, 99, 109, 1099) intended to misalign, preferably the front wheel, of a vehicle comprising a steering column axis (10, 110, 510, 610, 710, 910, 1910) of which at least a part is placed eccentrically, and / or optionally obliquely, linked or preferably integral with a rolling element (1, 31, 41, 71, 91, 101, 120, 191, 320, 520, 720, 920, 1920) characterized in that the steering column guide axis tilts or shifts transversely / sideways during rotation of the steering column axis (10, 110, 510, 610, 710, 910, 1910).

2. Internal steering column device according to claim (1), the transverse / lateral displacement of the guide axis of the steering column produces an offset (98) of the front wheel in rotation (96 ') with the wheel. rear (97).

3. An internal steering column device according to claim (1), the eccentric ball-joint member (1, 31) of which is fixed to the upper part of the steering column.

4. An internal steering column device according to claim (1), the eccentric ball-joint member (320, 520) of which is fixed to the lower part of the steering column.

5. Internal steering column device according to claim (1), the eccentric rolling element (41, 71, 101) of which is fixed to the upper part of the steering column.

6. Internal steering column device according to claim (1), the eccentric rolling element (1920) of which is fixed to the lower part of the steering column.

7. Steering column internal device according to claim (1), part of the steering column axis (10, 710 ', 910', 910 ”) is placed obliquely in a concentric rolling element (91, 720, 920).

8. Steering column internal device according to claim (1), part of the steering column axis (10, 110) is placed obliquely in an eccentric rolling element (41, 101).

9. Internal steering column device according to claim (1), the eccentric and / or oblique rolling element (1, 31, 41, 71, 91, 101, 320, 520, 720, 920, 1920) comprises a opening (4, 84, 104) eccentric on the inner ring (3, 83, 113).

10. An internal steering column device according to claim (9), the opening (4, 84) of which is preferably circular.

11. Internal steering column device according to claim (9), the steering column axis (10, 510, 610, 710, 910) is preferably securely held by a key (8) in the opening (4, 84).

12. Internal steering column device according to claim (9), the steering column axis (110) is preferably integrally held by a flat (134) in the opening (104).

13. Internal steering column device according to claim (1), the rolling elements of which preferably have an outside diameter of less than 80 mm.

14. Internal steering column device according to claim (1), the thickness of the rolling elements is preferably greater than 5 mm.

15. Internal steering column device according to claim (1), the distance between the upper and lower rolling elements is preferably greater than 50 mm.

16. An internal steering column device according to claim (8), the opening (4, 84, 104) preferably has a section greater than 1 cm2.

17. Internal steering column device according to claim (1) including the eccentricity of the axis (14) or distance (15, 1930) between the axis of rotation of the rolling elements (1, 31, 41, 51 , 61, 71, 101, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720) and the relative position of the opening (4, 84, 104) is preferably greater than 2 mm.

18. Internal steering column device according to claim (2), the offset (98) of which is between 0 and 20 mm.