Steerable HUB for small commercial vehicle

Abstract

Steerable Hub for Small Commercial Vehicle The steerable hub for small commercial vehicles, in accordance with the present invention, comprises of a universal joint (5), a steering knuckle (10) provided with an arm (10A) and the hub (10H), a housing knuckle (15), suspension ball joints (20), and a rear axle housing (70). These components are provided in conjunction with features provided on the rear axle and the wheels to achieve the beneficial results attributable to the present invention. The steerable hub for small commercial vehicles (100), in accordance with the present invention, facilitates the necessary turning of the hub required for steering of rear wheels, facilitates transmission of power to the wheels while also allowing it to be steered, and enhances the manoeuvrability and stability of small commercial vehicles.

Description

STEERABLE HUB FOR SMALL COMMERCIAL VEHICLE”Field of Invention

[0001] The invention relates to steering system provided in small commercial vehicles. It more particularly relates to steering hubs that are provided in steering systems with electrical mechanisms to assist the driver in turning the wheels.Background of the Invention

[0002] Conventionally, the rear wheels are not steered in the small commercial vehicle segment, and due to this, the hub remains stationary. If the rear wheels can be made to steer, they can enable increased manoeuvrability of the small commercial vehicle and even enhance stability in certain operating conditions to which small commercial vehicles are exposed on a daily basis. But in order to provide rear-wheel steering in rear-wheel-powered vehicles, a hub that swivels about an axis has to be included in the assembly given with the rear wheels.

[0003] Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a steerable hub for small commercial vehicles that permits swivelling about an axis while also allowing transmission of the engine’s output to the rear wheels.

[0004] It is another objective of the present invention to provide a steerable hub for small commercial vehicles that facilitates the necessary turning of the hub required for steering of rear wheels.

[0005] It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a steerable hub for small commercial vehicles that facilitates transmission of power to the wheels and while also allowing it to be steered.

[0006] It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a steerable hub for small commercial vehicles that enhances the maneuverability and stability of small commercial vehicles.Summary of the Invention

[0007] The invention achieving the stated objectives i.e. the steerable hub for small commercial vehicle comprises of, a universal joint, a steering knuckle provided with an arm and the hub, a housing knuckle, suspension ball joints, a rear axle housing. In the steerable hub for small commercial vehicles, the universal joint has two portions that are joined together through a cross shaped part and holding pins.The first portion of the universal joint of the universal joint is connected with a wheel end shaft at its one end and through the plus shaped part and the holding pins to the second portion of the universal joint. The second portion of the universal joint is connected to the rear axle shaft. The steering knuckle has a thick round base identified as the hub and an upper profile having two legs, an arm projecting outwards from the lower of the two legs is connected to the rear steering links of the vehicle.

[0008] The housing knuckle also has a thick round base that is welded to one end of the rear axle housing. The rear axle shaft is supported within the rear axle housing by means of bearings, said rear axle shaft is linked with the differential mechanism provided at the centre of the rear axle housing at its one end and is connected with the second portion of the universal joint at its other end. The suspension ball joints connect the two legs of the steering knuckle with two legs of the housing knuckle. The linkage so obtained between the steering knuckle and the housing knuckle allows the steering knuckle to rotate about the axis formed at the two suspension ball joints when the steering links connected with the arm of the steering knuckle is pull or push said arm.Brief Description of Drawings

[0009] The present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The description of the present invention would, therefore, be better understood with reference to accompanying diagrams, wherein

[0010] Figure 1 discloses the features provided at the wheel end that are appropriately fastened to the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 discloses the isometric view of the steerable hub in accordance with the present invention that is mounted on the rear axle of the small commercial vehicle.

[0012] Figure 3 discloses the isometric view of a portion of the steerable hub assembly, that has been assembled with the brake assembly, in accordance with the present invention.

[0013] Figure 4 discloses the arrangement with a universal joint, a steering knuckle , suspension ball joints and a housing knuckle , as provided within the present invention

[0014] Figure 5 discloses an exploded view of the present invention as provided on the rear axle of the small commercial vehicle.Detailed Description of the Invention

[0015] To achieve the stated objectives, a steerable hub for small commercial vehicle (100) is disclosed. The steerable hub for small commercial vehicle (100) comprises of a universal joint (5), a steering knuckle (10) provided with an arm (10A) and the hub (10H), a housing knuckle (15), suspension ball joints (20), and a rear axle housing (70).

[0016] Referring to figures (2, 4 and 5), in the steerable hub for small commercial vehicle (100), the universal joint (5) has two portions (5A, 5B) that are joined together through a cross shaped part and holding pins. The first portion of the universal joint (5A) of the universal joint (5) is connected with a wheel end shaft (30) at its one end and through the plus shaped part and the holding pins to the second portion of the universal joint (5B). The second portion of the universal joint (5B) is connected to the rear axle shaft (25). The steering knuckle (10) has a thick round base identified as the hub (10H) and an upper profile having two legs (10L), an arm (10A) projecting outwards from the lower of the two legs (10L) is connected to the rear steering links of the vehicle.

[0017] The housing knuckle (15) (refer to Figs. 2, 4 and 5) also has a thick round base that is welded to one end of the rear axle housing (70). The rear axle shaft (25) is supported within the rear axle housing by means of bearings. The rear axle shaft (25) is linked with the differential mechanism provided at the centre of the rear axle housing at its one end and is connected with the second portion of the universal joint (5B) at its other end.

[0018] The suspension ball joints (20) (refer to Figs 2 to 5) connect the two legs (10L) of the steering knuckle (10) with two legs (15L) of the housing knuckle (15). The linkage so obtained between the steering knuckle (10) and the housing knuckle (15) allows the steering knuckle (10) to rotate about the axis formed at the two suspension ball joints (20) when the steering links connected with the arm (10A) of the steering knuckle (10) pulls or pushes said arm (10A).

[0019] The hub (10H) (refer to Figs 1 , 3, 4 and 5) is connected to a base plate (65) of a brake assembly (55BA) through an intermediate part (45) and a cover (60), this group of parts is fastened to the steering knuckle (10) by conventional fastening means (50) including nuts and bolts. This fastening is facilitated by openings provided in the respective parts to accommodate said conventional fastening means (50). Thebrake assembly (55BA) is configured so as to allow its shoes to be surrounded by the curved cylindrical portion of a brake drum (55), with the brake drum (55) being connected to the wheels that are free to rotate through the rotational input received via the wheel end shaft (30).

[0020] Additionally, the steerable hub for small commercial vehicle (100) (refer to figs 2 and 5) construction as provide at one side of the rear axle housing (70) is mirrored at the other end of the rear axle housing (70) thereby enabling both the rear wheels to receive and turn under the input provided by steering linkages.

[0021] When assembled onto the vehicle, the arm (10A) connected with the steering links receives a pull or a push from said steering linkage when turning input is provided. Once the turning input is provided the steering knuckle (10) rotates about the axis formed by the suspension ball joints (20) on the housing knuckle (15). This enables the wheels indirectly connected with the steering knuckle (5) through the construction as disclosed above to steer. The rear axle shaft (25), that is connected to the differential mechanism provided within and in the enlarged central portion of the rear axle housing, receives rotation input through said differential mechanism, when said differential mechanism also connected with a transmission shaft begins receiving rotational input from the transmission shaft. The rear axle shaft (25) then transmits this rotational input through the universal joint (5) to the wheel end shaft (30) thereby allowing the wheel to receive rotational input regardless of the direction in which they have been turned. The universal joint (5) so connected with the wheel end shaft (30) and the rear axle shaft (25) is supported within a super structure formed by the steering knuckle (10) and the housing knuckle (15) through bearings provided for the shafts (25, 30) in the components.

[0022] Novel features of the Steerable Hub for Small Commercial Vehicle (100) in accordance with the present invention are: a. Steering geometry can be controlled with the help of stoppers mounted on the steering knuckles. b. Caster angle can be set as per requirement, with welding the housing knuckle as per use.

[0023] The Steerable Hub for Small Commercial Vehicles (100), in accordance with the present invention, achieves all the stated objectives.

[0024] Technical advantages offered by the invention, i.e., the Steerable Hub for Small Commercial Vehicle (100), are that-It permits swivelling about an axis while also allowing transmission of the engine’s output to the rear wheels.It facilitates the necessary turning of the hub required for steering of rear wheels. - It facilitates transmission of power to the wheels and while also allowing it to be steered.It enhances the manoeuvrability and stability of small commercial vehicles.

[0025] 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 present invention has been herein described in terms of its preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognise that the preferred embodiment herein disclosed can be practised with modifications within the scope of the invention herein described.DATED 19 JULY 2025

Claims

CLAIMS:We Claim,1 . A steerable hub for small commercial vehicle (100) comprising of• a universal joint (5),• a steering knuckle (10) provided with an arm (10A) and the hub (10H),• a housing knuckle (15),• suspension ball joints (20),• a rear axle housing (70), wherein,- the universal joint (5) has two portions (5A, 5B) that are joined together through a cross shaped part and holding pins, the first portion of the universal joint (5A) of the universal joint (5) is connected with a wheel end shaft (30) at its one end and through the plus shaped part and the holding pins to the second portion of the universal joint (5B), the second portion of the universal joint (5B) is connected to the rear axle shaft (25);- the steering knuckle (10) has a thick round base identified as the hub (10H) and an upper profile having two legs (10L), an arm (10A) projecting outwards from the lower of the two legs (10L) is connected to the rear steering links of the vehicle;- the housing knuckle (15) also has a thick round base that is welded to one end of the rear axle housing (70), the rear axle shaft (25) is supported within the rear axle housing by means of bearings, said rear axle shaft (25) is linked with the differential mechanism provided at the centre of the rear axle housing at its one end and is connected with the second portion of the universal joint (5B) at its other end; and- the suspension ball joints (20) connect the two legs (10L) of the steering knuckle (10) with two legs (15L) of the housing knuckle (15), the linkage so obtained between the steering knuckle (10) and the housing knuckle (15) allows the steering knuckle (10) to rotate about the axis formed at the two suspension ball joints (20) when the steering links connected with the arm (10A) of the steering knuckle (10) is pull or push said arm (10A).

2. The steerable hub for small commercial vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the hub (10H) is connected to a base plate (65) of a brake assembly (55BA) through an intermediate part (45) and a cover (60), this group of parts isfastened to the steering knuckle (10) by conventional fastening means (50) including nuts and bolts, this fastening is facilitated by openings provided in the respective parts to accommodate said conventional fastening means (50).

3. The steerable hub for small commercial vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the brake assembly (55BA) is configured so as to allow its shoes to be surrounded by the curved cylindrical portion of a brake drum (55), with the brake drum (55) being connected to the wheels that are free to rotate through the rotational input received via the wheel end shaft (30).

4. The steerable hub for small commercial vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the construction provide at one side of the rear axle housing (70) is mirrored at the other end of the rear axle housing (70) thereby enabling both the rear wheels to receive and turn under the input provided by steering linkages.

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