Modular power steering device

Abstract

To provide a modular power steering device. [Solution] A modular power steering device including a rotatable shaft selectively rotatable to provide rotational movement of at least one wheel, a housing supporting the rotatable shaft for relative rotation about a shaft axis, a first rotary input assembly for transmitting steering commands from a steering member to the rotatable shaft, and a second rotary input assembly operatively coupled to the rotatable shaft, the second rotary input assembly being configured to apply a rotational force to the rotatable shaft, and the device including a plurality of drive stations, each configured to selectively accept both the first and second rotary input assemblies for operative coupling to the rotatable shaft at different times.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device used in the steering of steerable wheels, and more particularly, to a modular electric steering device used in the steering of steerable wheels, especially wheels of commercial vehicles such as heavy trucks.

Background Art

[0002] Known vehicle steering devices include an axially movable steering member for effecting the steering of steerable wheels, especially for commercial vehicles such as heavy trucks. A pinion is arranged to mesh with a rack portion of the steering member. A steering column couples the pinion to the vehicle's steering wheel. A ball nut assembly is coupled to a threaded portion outside the steering member. A motor is coupled to the ball nut assembly. The motor is operable to effect rotation of the ball nut assembly relative to the steering member to axially move the steering member relative to the vehicle. The operation of the steering member is controlled by an input unit that transmits operator commands from the steering wheel or other operator input device. Exemplary electric power steering devices for vehicles are disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a modular power steering device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In one aspect, a modular power steering device is provided. A rotatable shaft is selectively rotatable to effect the rotational (steering) movement of at least one wheel. A housing supports the rotatable shaft for relative rotation about a shaft axis. A first rotational input assembly is provided for transmitting a steering command from a steering member to the rotatable shaft. A second rotational input assembly is operatively coupled to the rotatable shaft. The second rotational input assembly is configured to apply a rotational force to the rotatable shaft. The device includes a plurality of drive stations. Each drive station is configured to selectively receive both the first and second rotational input assemblies for operative coupling to the rotatable shaft at different times.

[0006] In one aspect, a device is provided for use in steering the steerable wheels of a vehicle. A rotatable shaft is selectively rotatable to effect the rotational (steering) movement of at least one wheel. A housing supports the rotatable shaft for relative rotation about a shaft axis. A steering member is operable by a vehicle driver to provide a steering command to the device. A first rotational input assembly is provided for transmitting a steering command from the steering member to the rotatable shaft. A second rotational input assembly is operatively coupled to the rotatable shaft. The second rotational input assembly is operable to apply a rotational force to the rotatable shaft. The device includes a plurality of drive stations. Each drive station is configured to selectively receive both the first and second rotational input assemblies for operative coupling to the rotatable shaft at different times.

[0007] For better understanding, reference can be made to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 2C

Figure 3

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0010] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" (indefinite articles) and "the" (definite article) may include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, the terms "comprise" and / or "comprising" as used herein may identify the presence of the described features (functions), steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0011] As used herein, the term "and / or" may include all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0012] Spatial terms such as "under (e.g., "below"), "below (e.g., "beneath"), "lower (e.g., "lower"), "over (e.g., "above"), "upper (e.g., "above"), etc. can be used herein to facilitate the description of the relationship of one element or feature to other elements or features, as illustrated in the drawings. It is understood that spatially relative terms can refer to different orientations of the device during use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawing is reversed, an element described as "below" or "beneath" another element or feature is oriented "above" that other element or feature.

[0013] As used herein, the phrase "at least one of X and Y" can include X, Y, or a combination of X and Y. For example, if an element is described as having X and Y, the element can include X, Y, or a combination of X and Y at a particular time, and the selection can vary over time. In contrast, the phrase "at least one of X" can be interpreted to include one or more Xs.

[0014] Although terms such as "first", "second", etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, it is understood that these elements should not be limited by these terms. These elements are only used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, the "first" element described below can also be referred to as the "second" element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. The sequence of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order shown in the claims or the drawings unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0015] The present invention includes all combinations of the following features, consists of all combinations of these features, or consists essentially of all combinations of these features.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a modular power steering apparatus 100 for use in steering a steerable wheel including a rotatable shaft 102 that is selectively rotatable to effect the steering movement of at least one wheel (shown generally at reference numeral 104). For example, the rotatable shaft 102 is drivingly (interface) coupled to a sector gear 106 configured to steer the wheel in a known manner.

[0017] The housing 108 supports the rotatable shaft 102 for rotation about a shaft axis S relative to the housing 108. A steering member (e.g., a steering wheel shown generally at reference numeral 110 in FIG. 1) is operable by a vehicle operator to provide a steering command to the apparatus 100. The steering command can be transmitted from the steering member 100 or other steering command source (e.g., an autonomous vehicle component) to the rotatable shaft 102 using a first rotational input assembly 112. The first rotational input assembly 112 is shown in the drawings as an input shaft module having a torque angle sensor, but those skilled in the art will be able to provide a suitable first rotational input assembly 112. The first rotational input assembly 112 can include an input feature 114 for attachment to the rotatable shaft 102 in a desired manner, as shown in the drawings. For example, the input feature 114 shown is an input shaft that can be inserted in a mating fashion into an internal drive feature 116 to achieve a desired coupling.

[0018] The second rotational input assembly 112 (schematically shown as an electronic power pack at reference numeral 118 in FIG. 1) can be operatively coupled to a rotatable shaft 102. The second rotational input assembly 118 is configured to apply a rotational force to the rotatable shaft 102. Again, the second rotational input assembly 118 can include an input feature 114' for attachment to the rotatable shaft 102 in a desired manner. For example, the input feature 114' can be an input shaft that can be inserted into an internal drive feature 120. Those skilled in the art can readily provide a mechanical coupling between the rotatable shaft 102 and each of the first and second rotational input assemblies 112, 118 for the particular use environment of the present invention.

[0019] In the illustrated exemplary use environment, the first rotational input assembly 112 provides a small rotational force indicative of the direction and magnitude of a steering command. The second rotational input assembly 118 provides a steering assist to a mechanically sufficient level to obtain a desired action of operating the rotatable shaft 102 to operate the sector gear 106 and, in turn, steer the wheel 104 in response to a rotational input based on the steering command from the first rotational input assembly 118. Different vehicle manufacturers have different desired physical configurations depending on the volume and three-dimensional shape of the space available in the vehicle compartment where the device 100 is mounted. For example, for some vehicle types, it may be desirable to align both the first and second rotational input assemblies 112, 118 along the shaft axis S, while for other vehicle types, it may be desirable to provide a second rotational input assembly 112 oriented perpendicular to the shaft axis S. However, the manufacturer of the device 100 generally desires to avoid having to create a separate custom configuration of the device 100 for each vehicle's use environment in order to maintain inventory, design, record keeping, and to reduce other manufacturing and inventory costs.

[0020] To address the problems of this configuration, the apparatus 100 includes a plurality of drive stations 122, each drive station 122 being arranged at least in one of a different orientation and a different position with respect to the rotatable shaft 102 than the other drive stations 122. Each drive station 122 is configured to selectively receive both the first and second rotational input assemblies 112, 118 for operative coupling to the rotatable shaft 102 at different times. In other words, the apparatus 100 has a modular configuration such that each of the first and second rotational input assemblies 112, 118 can be operatively coupled to the rotatable shaft 102 in various configurations via the drive stations 122 and associated components. (However, it is contemplated that only one of the first and second rotational input assemblies 112, 118 will be attached to one selected drive station 122 at a given time.)

[0021] For example, if the apparatus 100 is provided with two drive stations 122, the first rotational input assembly 112 can be selectively operatively coupled to one of the two drive stations 122, while at the same time, the second rotational input assembly 118 is operatively coupled to the other of the two drive stations 122. If desired, in the example of the two stations, the positions of the first and second rotational input assemblies 112, 118 can be "exchanged" or switched in the two available drive stations 122 to provide a more desirable form factor for different vehicle configurations. In broad summary, the first and second rotational input assemblies 112, 118 are configured to be operatively coupled simultaneously to different drive stations 122 of the rotatable shaft 102, respectively.

[0022] However, it is also conceivable that when a particular device 100 is assembled for use with a particular vehicle configuration, the first and second rotational input assemblies 118 are "set" such that they are positioned at a predetermined drive station, and that this "setting" is not changed during the life of that particular device 100. However, one of ordinary skill in the art can readily understand that, considering the modular nature of the device, a relatively modest inventory of parts of a spare device 100 can be deployed in various configurations to meet the needs of a wide range of vehicle types, either at the time of initial manufacture of the vehicle or during subsequent repair or reconfiguration thereof.

[0023] It is also conceivable that the housing 108 can include one or more removable covers (in FIG. 1, one is shown in phantom at reference numeral 124). Each removable cover 124 is associated with at least one drive station 122. When present, the cover 124 is installed at a drive station 122 that is not simultaneously receiving one of the first and second rotational input assemblies 112, 118. Thus, more than one drive station 122 can be provided for a particular device 100, and the cover 124 can be used to "blank off" the unused drive stations 122. In some examples, only the first or second rotational input assembly 112 or 118 can be provided for the device 100, in which case the cover 124 can be associated with all but one of the drive stations 122 of the particular device 100.

[0024] The drive station 122 can each include suitable components for operatively coupling to both the first and second rotational input assemblies 112, 118 at different times. The components may be the same components for both types of assemblies, or it is possible to provide different components for each assembly type, such that at a given time, the unused components are simply not connected to the non - compatible assemblies. However, it is also conceivable for one skilled in the art to provide a drive station 122, and the non - compatible components are not mechanically coupled to the compatible components during use.

[0025] Figures 2A - 4B illustrate several non - limiting exemplary usage configurations of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. Each usage configuration is suitable for inclusion in a vehicle having a corresponding shape / volume capable of receiving the apparatus 100 of that usage configuration, while the apparatus 100 of other usage configurations may not be potentially received. Each usage configuration of FIGS. 2A - 4B includes the same housing 108 (and opposing internal components) and the first and second rotational input assemblies 112, 118, but each usage configuration assembles these components differently by using the drive station 122. In this specification, the element reference numeral "122" is used to refer collectively to one or more drive stations and / or without distinguishing between them, while various combinations of "main" reference numerals are used to indicate a particular one of the drive stations for clarity of explanation.

[0026] In the drawings, the first rotational input assembly 122’ is coaxially arranged along the shaft axis S and is directly adjacent to the first end 126 (see FIG. 1) of the rotatable shaft 102. As described above, the first drive station 122’ can include at least one of the internal drive function part 116 and the external drive function part 120 for operatively coupling to the first and / or second rotational input assemblies 112, 118, or can include other mechanical components for achieving the desired operative coupling.

[0027] Similarly, the second drive station 122'' is coaxially arranged along the shaft axis S and is directly adjacent to the second end 128 of the rotatable shaft 102. The second drive station 122'' faces away from and is spaced apart from the first drive station 122'. Like any drive station 122 provided in the device 100, the second drive station 122'' can include at least one of the internal drive function unit 116 and the external drive function unit 120 for operatively coupling to the first and / or second rotary input assemblies 112, 118, or can include other mechanical components for achieving a desired operative coupling.

[0028] Figures 2A - 2C show the device 100 including the lateral drive station 122'''. The lateral drive station 122''' includes a power input part (shown as reference numeral 230 in Figure 2B), and the power input part is configured to receive rotational power from the first or second rotary input assembly 112 or 118. The rotational power is directed around the rotary input assembly axis R, and the rotary input assembly axis is substantially perpendicular to the shaft axis S. In addition to or instead of this, the power input part 230 may be configured to transmit rotational power from the first or second rotary input assembly 112 or 118 to another drive station 122 such as the first or second drive station 122' or 122'', but is not limited thereto. In Figures 2A - 2C, the first rotary input assembly 112 is operatively coupled to the first drive station 122', the removable cover 124 "blocks" the second drive station 122'', and the second rotary input assembly 118 is operatively coupled to the lateral drive station 122'''.

[0029] Figure 3 shows another usage configuration of the apparatus 100. The lateral drive station 122’’ is arranged toward the second end 128 of the rotary shaft 102, in contrast to the lateral drive stations 122’’ in FIGS. 2A-2C that are located more centrally. The lateral drive station 122’’ in FIG. 3 includes a power direction conversion module located inside the corresponding portion of the housing 108, schematically shown at 332. The power direction conversion module 332 can include a gear train (gear series), or otherwise can be configured to mechanically redirect the received rotational power (along the rotational input assembly axis R) about an axis parallel to the shaft axis S.

[0030] FIGS. 4A-4B show another usage configuration of the apparatus 100, where the parallel drive station 122 iv is arranged spaced apart from the rotatable shaft 102 and includes a power transmission module 434 configured to transmit the received rotational power to the first or second drive stations 122’ or 122’’. In addition to, or alternatively to, this, the parallel drive station 122 iv can be a “stand-alone” drive station spaced apart from the other drive stations of the apparatus 100.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, the parallel drive station 122 iv includes a power input portion 230 configured to receive rotational power from the first or second rotational input assemblies 112 or 118, the rotational power being directed about a rotational input assembly axis R that is substantially parallel to the shaft axis S. The power transmission module 434 uses belts, gears, and / or other desired mechanical components to shift and / or redirect (e.g., make a “U-turn” as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B) the rotational power from the first or second rotational input assemblies 112 or 118 to the first or second drive stations 122’ or 122’’.

[0032] The second rotational input assembly 118 is shown as associated with the parallel drive station 122 at the "shoulder ride" or "12 o'clock" rotational position at the top of the housing 108 in the orientations of FIGS. 4A-4B. iv However, the parallel drive station 122 iv can be oriented to other rotational positions (e.g., "3 o'clock", "6 o'clock", "9 o'clock" or other desired parallel directions with respect to the rotational shaft 102), and is appropriately configured to redirect and / or shift the rotational power from the first or second rotational input assembly 112 or 118 as desired for a particular use environment, and may also have a power input section 230 and a power transmission module 434.

[0033] Aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the above exemplary aspects, while those skilled in the art will understand that various additional aspects are possible. For example, the specific methods described above for using the apparatus are merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art can readily determine any number of tools, sequences of steps, or other means / options for arranging the apparatus or its components described above in substantially the same positions as those shown and described herein. For the sake of clarity of the drawings, the overlapping components shown are not specifically labeled, but those skilled in the art can understand the reference numerals of the elements that should be associated with the unlabeled components based on the labeled components, and it is not intended or implied to distinguish similar components only by the presence or absence of reference numerals in the figures. A "predetermined" state can be determined at any time before the structure being operated actually reaches that state, and "predetermining" is done at the latest immediately before the structure reaches the predetermined state. Here, the term "substantial (or nearly)" is used to indicate a "substantial" quality that acknowledges that the specified quality is mostly but not necessarily complete, i.e., there is a potential for relatively minor inclusion of items other than the quality. The specific components described herein are shown as having specific geometric shapes, but all structures of the present disclosure can have any suitable shape, size, configuration, relative relationship, cross-sectional area, or any other physical property desirable for a particular application. Structures or features described with reference to one aspect or configuration can be provided alone or in combination with other structures or features with respect to other aspects or configurations, but it is not practical to describe each of the aspects and configurations described herein as having all of the options described with respect to all of the other aspects and configurations. Apparatuses or methods incorporating any of these features should be understood to be within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based on the following claims and their equivalents.

[0034] Other aspects, objects, and advantages can be obtained from a review of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. Note that the present invention may also be applied to the following aspects: 1. A modular power steering apparatus including a rotatable shaft selectively rotatable to provide a rotational movement of at least one wheel, a housing supporting the rotatable shaft rotatable about a shaft axis, a first rotational input assembly for transmitting a steering command from a steering member to the rotatable shaft, and a second rotational input assembly operatively coupled to the rotatable shaft, wherein the second rotational input assembly is configured to apply a rotational force to the rotatable shaft, the apparatus includes a plurality of drive stations, and each drive station is configured to selectively receive both the first and second rotational input assemblies for operative coupling to the rotatable shaft at different times. 2. The modular power steering apparatus according to 1. above, wherein the housing includes a removable cover associated with at least one drive station, and the cover is installed at a drive station that does not simultaneously receive the first or second rotational input assembly. 3. The modular power steering apparatus according to 1. above, wherein the first drive station is arranged coaxially along the shaft axis and directly adjacent to a first end of the rotatable shaft. 4. The modular power steering apparatus according to 3. above, wherein the first drive station includes at least one of an internal drive function portion and an external drive function portion for operatively coupling to the first and / or second rotational input assemblies. 5. The modular power steering apparatus according to 3. above, wherein the second drive station is arranged coaxially along the shaft axis, faces away from and is spaced from the first drive station, and is directly adjacent to a second end of the rotatable shaft. 6. The modular power steering apparatus according to 5. above, wherein each of the first and second drive stations includes at least one of an internal drive function portion and an external drive function portion for operatively coupling to the first and / or second rotary input assemblies respectively. 7. The modular power steering apparatus according to 1. above, wherein the parallel drive station is disposed spaced apart from the rotatable shaft and includes a power input portion configured to receive rotational power from a first or second rotary input assembly oriented about a rotary input assembly axis substantially parallel to the shaft axis, and the parallel drive station includes a power transmission module configured to transmit the received rotational power to the rotatable shaft. 8. The modular power steering apparatus according to 7. above, wherein the power transmission module is configured to transmit the received rotational power to the rotatable shaft via the first or second drive station. 9. The modular power steering apparatus according to 1. above, wherein the lateral drive station includes a power input portion configured to receive rotational power from a first or second rotary input assembly oriented about a rotary input assembly axis substantially perpendicular to the shaft axis. 10. The modular power steering apparatus according to 9. above, wherein the lateral drive station includes a power direction conversion module configured to mechanically redirect the received rotational power about an axis parallel to the shaft axis. 11. The modular power steering apparatus according to 1. above, wherein the first and second rotary input assemblies are configured to be operatively coupled simultaneously to different drive stations of the rotatable shaft. 12. The modular power steering apparatus according to 1. above, wherein each drive station is disposed relative to the rotatable shaft at at least one of a different direction and position from the other drive stations. 13. A device for use in steering a steerable wheel, comprising a rotatable shaft selectively rotatable to effect rotation of at least one wheel, a housing supporting the rotatable shaft for relative rotation about a shaft axis, a steering member operable by a vehicle operator to provide a steering command to the device, a first rotational input assembly for transmitting the steering command from the steering member to the rotatable shaft, and a second rotational input assembly operatively coupled to the rotatable shaft, wherein the second rotational input assembly is operable to apply a rotational force to the rotatable shaft, the device including a plurality of drive stations, each drive station being configured to selectively receive both the first and second rotational input assemblies for operative coupling to the rotatable shaft at different times. 14. The device according to 13. above, characterized in that a first drive station is arranged coaxially along the shaft axis and directly adjacent to a first end of the rotatable shaft. 15. The device according to 14. above, characterized in that the first drive station includes at least one of an internal drive function and an external drive function for operatively coupling to the first and / or second rotational input assemblies. 16. The device according to 15. above, characterized in that a second drive station is arranged coaxially along the shaft axis, facing and spaced from the first drive station, and directly adjacent to a second end of the rotatable shaft. 17. The device according to 16. above, characterized in that each of the first and second drive stations includes at least one of an internal drive function and an external drive function for operatively coupling to the first and / or second rotational input assemblies. 18. The parallel drive station is arranged spaced apart from the rotatable shaft and is configured to receive rotational power from a 13th or second rotational input assembly oriented about a rotational input assembly axis substantially parallel to the shaft axis, the parallel drive station including a power input section, and the parallel drive station includes a power transmission module configured to transmit the received rotational power to the rotating shaft. The device according to 13. above, characterized in that. 19. The lateral drive station includes a power input section configured to receive rotational power from a first or second rotational input assembly oriented about a rotational input assembly axis substantially perpendicular to the shaft axis. The device according to 13. above, characterized in that. 20. The lateral drive station includes a power direction conversion module configured to mechanically redirect the received rotational power about a direction parallel to the shaft axis. The device according to 19. above, characterized in that.

Claims

**Claim 1** A modular power steering apparatus comprising a rotatable shaft selectively rotatable to effect rotation of at least one wheel, a housing supporting the rotatable shaft for relative rotation about a shaft axis, a first rotational input assembly for transmitting a steering command from a steering member to the rotatable shaft, and a second rotational input assembly operatively coupled to the rotatable shaft, the second rotational input assembly being configured to apply a rotational force to the rotatable shaft, the apparatus including first and second drive stations respectively assigned to the first and second rotational input modules, the first and second drive stations being configured to selectively receive the first and second rotational input assemblies respectively for operative coupling to the rotatable shaft. **Claim 2** The modular power steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a removable cover associated with at least one of the drive stations, the cover being disposed at a drive station not receiving the first or second rotational input assembly. **Claim 3** The modular power steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first drive station is disposed coaxially along the shaft axis and immediately adjacent to a first end of the rotatable shaft. **Claim 4** The modular power steering apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first and second drive stations each include an internal drive function for operatively coupling to the first and second rotational input assemblies respectively. **Claim 5** The modular power steering apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second drive station is disposed coaxially along the shaft axis, facing and spaced from the first drive station, and immediately adjacent to a second end of the rotatable shaft. **Claim 6** The modular power steering apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the first and second drive stations each include an internal drive function for operatively coupling to the first and second rotary input assemblies.

7. The modular power steering apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the parallel drive station is arranged spaced apart from the rotatable shaft and includes a power input configured to receive rotational power from a second rotary input assembly oriented about a rotary input assembly axis substantially parallel to the shaft axis, and the parallel drive station includes a power transmission module configured to transmit the received rotational power to the rotary shaft.

8. The modular power steering apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the power transmission module is configured to transmit the received rotational power to the rotary shaft via the first or second drive station.

9. The modular power steering apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral drive station includes a power input configured to receive rotational power from a second rotary input assembly oriented about a rotary input assembly axis substantially perpendicular to the shaft axis.

10. The modular power steering apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the lateral drive station includes a power direction conversion module configured to mechanically redirect the received rotational power about an axis parallel to the shaft axis.

11. The modular power steering apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second rotary input assemblies are configured to be operatively coupled to different drive stations of the rotatable shaft simultaneously.

12. The modular power steering apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that each drive station is arranged relative to the rotatable shaft at at least one of a different direction and position from the other drive stations.

13. A device for steering a steerable wheel, comprising: a rotatable shaft selectively rotatable to provide a rotational movement of at least one wheel; a housing supporting the rotatable shaft rotatable about a shaft axis; a steering member operable by a vehicle operator to provide a steering command to the device; a first rotational input assembly for transmitting the steering command from the steering member to the rotatable shaft; and a second rotational input assembly operatively coupled to the rotatable shaft, wherein the second rotational input assembly is operable to apply a rotational force to the rotatable shaft, and the device includes first and second drive stations respectively assigned to the first and second rotational input modules, and the first and second drive stations are configured to selectively receive the first and second rotational input assemblies respectively assigned to the first and second drive stations for an operative coupling to the rotatable shaft.

14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that the first drive station is arranged coaxially along the shaft axis and directly adjacent to a first end of the rotatable shaft.

15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that the first and second drive stations each include an internal drive function for operatively coupling to the first and second rotational input assemblies respectively.

16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that the second drive station is arranged coaxially along the shaft axis and directly adjacent to a second end of the rotatable shaft, facing and spaced from the first drive station.

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that the first and second drive stations each include an internal drive function for operatively coupling to the first and second rotational input assemblies respectively.

18. The power input section is configured to receive rotational power from a second rotational input assembly that is disposed spaced apart from the rotatable shaft and oriented about a rotational input assembly axis that is substantially parallel to the shaft axis, and the parallel drive station includes a power transmission module configured to transmit the received rotational power to the rotating shaft. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that.

19. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the lateral drive station includes a power input section configured to receive rotational power from a second rotational input assembly that is oriented about a rotational input assembly axis that is substantially perpendicular to the shaft axis.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the lateral drive station includes a power direction conversion module configured to mechanically redirect the received rotational power about an axis parallel to the shaft axis.

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