FR2593764A1 - DEVICE FOR POSITIONING THE WHEEL IN A VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for positioning the steering wheel in a vehicle, in particular an industrial truck, comprising a steering column mounted so as to be able to rotate in a guide ring, for which two adjustment slots forming an angle between them are provided, and means for fixing, in particular tightening, in the form of guide pins making it possible to block a position set in the slots, one of which is arranged in a support integral with the vehicle. The guide ring 3 is guided with respect to the two slots 21, 22 without being able to tilt, and the two slots form between them a predetermined angle. (CF DRAWING IN BOPI)

Description

Device for positioning the steering wheel in a vehicle The invention

  relates to a device for positioning the steering wheel

  in a vehicle, in particular a industrial truck,

  carrying a steering column rotatably mounted in a guide ring, for which two adjustment slots are provided at an angle therebetween, and

  fixing means, in particular clamping means, in the form of

  guideways for locking a set position in the slots, one of which is arranged in a holder

secured to the vehicle.

  In such an embodiment known from DE-OS 33 00 268, the other slot is provided on the guide ring and the two

  slots through which a bolt serves as a pivot pin.

  ment. The slot disposed on the guide ring, whose o-

  rientation corresponds to the slot which will be called hereinafter first slot, is thus oriented fixedly with respect to the axis of the guide ring. But, the fact that the two slots are mounted on a common bolt allows, in addition to the displacement of the guide ring in the direction of one or the other slot, any pivoting of the ring

  the result of practical adjustments

  undefined flying on the steering column. In by-

  In particular, the orientation of the steering wheel relative to the driver varies according to the settings when the height position of the steering wheel varies. This is also the case because of particular locking means for reinforcing the clamping position by means of pairs of pinions and racks.

  cooperants, who are associated with the slots.

  Such a variation in the position of the steering wheel compromises the running safety, especially since it has appeared that a determined constant oblique position of the steering wheel is appropriate,

  regardless of the size of the driver.

  The inclination of the steering wheel also varies in the flywheel positioning device according to DE-OS 25 11 901, in which an upper portion of the steering column is guided.

  in a bearing that pivots about an axis on the vehicle.

  In this known embodiment, an intermediate shaft is disposed between two universal joints below this pivot bearing, and it can extend telescopically. The two universal joints are necessary to cash a certain offset when pivoting the upper portion

  of the steering column in the pivot bearing.

  This complication can be removed to rotate the upper portion of the steering column, for example

  according to DE-OS 24 30 604, disposing of this portion,

  below the articulation, hydraulic assistance with

flexible hose connections.

  DE-OS 31 07 459 discloses a positional device

  in which hydraulic assistance is also

  arranged on a steering column. This column of guidelines

  tion is mounted in a pivoting frame, a pivot axis of which can pivot about a support secured to the vehicle, and whose other pivot axis, parallel to the first, but provided at a distance, carries a

  fixing plate for the steering column with the steering wheel.

  By rotating only the attachment plate about the second pivot axis, the inclination of the steering wheel, or its angular adjustment relative to the horizontal, varies. But it can be preserved if we simultaneously adjust a pivot about the first pivot axis, but in this case, because of the dimensions of the frame, there is a lateral excursion of the flywheel depending on this frame. This side excursion is inherent to the arrangement and does not allow to position the steering wheel at will. Apart from this,

  this achievement is very expensive.

  The invention proceeds from the idea that an adaptation of the steering wheel to a position suitable for the driver is advantageous. This is particularly true for industrial trucks on which, for example in the case of a stacker with retractable mast with transversal seat, the space is reduced and does not allow

  not enough adjustment of the driver's seat.

  The object of the invention is to improve a device of the aforementioned type so that a predetermined oblique position of the steering wheel remains constant thanks to an adaptation of the steering column and the steering wheel adjustment relative to the driver's seat, as well as regards the height of the

flying only its lateral distance.

  This object is achieved by the fact that the guide ring is guided so that it can not tilt relative to the two slots and that the two slots make a predetermined angle between them. This allows, for any setting,

  have the steering column make a movement of trans-

  tion in the direction of its axis, that is to say, keeping its orientation parallel to itself. The steering wheel keeps

  always its inclination in relation to the horizontal.

  Advantageously, the first slot provided for varying the length of the steering column, is arranged

  in the support of the vehicle so as to be parallel

  aligns with an orientation of the steering column. This results in a simple and above all reliable embodiment

in a stable arrangement.

  It is preferable that a guide element is guided in the first slot, in the direction of the length of the steering column, without being able to pivot and constitutes a guide for a slide which is secured to the guide ring and which comprises a second slot forming an angle with the first, and in that a guide pin passes through the two slots. This is a particularly advantageous solution for the translational movement of the steering column mentioned above; in this case, the guide ring is maintained in a constant orientation. It is naturally not excluded to be able to adjust the fixing of the guide ring on the slider and in this case it blocks the chosen setting. For this purpose, we can use

screw connections.

  Although it is conceivable to have the second slot

  in any angular orientation, it is preferable

  it is horizontal. This allows a lateral translation of the steering column particularly easy, and above all, it is not necessary to change also

  the setting in the first slot. The result is the

  advantageous that the two slots which are adjustable relative to one another in a given orientation are

arranged on the support.

  In an advantageous development, the slider is guided in a U-shaped recess of the guide element, which is guided in the first slot by means of cylindrical head screws disposed at a distance from one another. This provides with simple means guidance

stable.

  Suitably, the guide pin constitutes a part of

  a locking screw having a stopper head and associated with a threaded handle, which makes it possible to block a specific actual position in the slots. We can

  provide additional clamping means in the

screw cement.

  In another suitable development, the support is double-walled and has in its walls two parallel slots which constitute the first slot parallel to the steering column. In these parallel slots can be moved between these walls the guide member on which is guided the slide bearing the second slot at an angle to the first. This helps to ensure a stable layout

which is not likely to tip over.

  Suitably, the steering column is connected in known manner by a universal joint to an intermediate shaft which can extend telescopically and which is connected by

  another universal joint to a shaft of the steering mechanism.

  In another appropriate development, we have on the

  steering column hydraulic assistance to the direc-

tion.

  The invention will be well understood on reading the description

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1, FIG.

  a steering column arranged on a support of a vehicle

  cule; - Figure 2 shows a. section along the line II-II of Figure 1; and

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view, partially

  in section, from one steering column to another

  assistance to management as in Figure 1.

  In Figures 1 and 2, a support 2 is placed on an upright 1 of a vehicle not shown. On this support is guided a guide ring 3. In the guide ring 3 is guided a steering column 7 which can rotate in a rolling bearing 4 but which can not move axially due to its attachment between a first seal universal, on the one hand, and a ring 6, on the other hand. On the top of

  this steering column is arranged a steering wheel 8. This

  This is adjusted by making an angle 9 with the horizontal. This angle results from the axial direction of the column of direction

7.

  At the first universal joint 5 is connected an intermediate shaft

  can extend telescopically, the

  lower half is connected by a second universal joint

  11 to a shaft of the steering mechanism 12. The intermediate shaft

  for example, between its parts

  sliding in the axial direction, a conical toothing.

  The steering column 7 thus described is oriented in a given chosen direction in which the steering wheel

  8 has a specific oblique position.

  The guide ring 3 is secured to a slider 13. This

  it is guided on the support 2. The support 2 is constituted, according to Figure 2, by two walls 14 and 14 'between which is enclosed the slide 13. Between the walls is also guided a guide member 15 which comprises, as one 2, a recess 16 in the form of a U on which the edge can move in a given direction.

  17 and the lower edge 18 of the slider 13.

  The guide member 15 is guided, without being able to tilt, into the first slot 21, by means of inserts, in the exemplary embodiment in the form of the cylindrical heads 19 and 20 of screws screwed into the element 15. A slot 21 'corresponding to the slot 21 is formed in the other wall 14' of the support 2. In this slot can also project inserts attached to the guide member 15. With this configuration, the guide ring 3 is held and can move in a constant axial direction and because the slot 21 is parallel to the axis of the column

  direction, in particular of the upper portion 7 thereof.

  ci, the guide ring 3 can be moved so as to

  ger or shorten the steering column.

  The U-shaped recess 16 in the guide member 15 is provided so that the slider can move in the horizontal direction. In the slider 13 is provided

  a second slot 22 which extends horizontally in corres-

  coping with the direction of movement of the slider.

  The two slots 21 and 22 and the adjacent parts of the wall

  2 are traversed by a locking screw 23 cooperating with

  The locking screw has a square 26 underneath its stopper head 26 which is guided in the slot 21 without turning so that this locking screw can be tensioned by turning the handle 24.

  in order to block the clamping arrangement.

  It can be seen that, after having loosened the locking screw, it is possible to move the slide 13 according to the slot 22, which allows a lateral displacement of the steering column 7, by

  example to the position 7 'shown in phantom.

  During this movement, the intermediate shaft 10 elongates because of its telescopic embodiment. For example, in the embodiment shown, the pivot pin 27

  of the first universal joint 5 moves to location 27 '.

  If the guide member 15 were guided along the slot 21 in its lower position, the hinge pin 27 would arrive in the position 27 ".

  8 would take the position 8 ".

  lisseau 13 to the right, this articulation pin arri-

  would see in position 27 '' 'and in that case the steering wheel

  should also position 8 '' '. The steering wheel adjustment

  laying at position 27 'is represented at 8'.

  With the slot dimensions shown, a setting range corresponding to the dashed line 28 is obtained. The steering wheel can be adjusted at each location in the

limits of this adjustment range.

  In FIG. 3, the steering column 7 is equipped, in

  below the guide ring 3, a control body 29 in the form of a hydraulic steering assistance, the upper edge of which constitutes at the same time a stop for the guide ring 3.

Claims (9)

claims   Device for positioning the steering wheel in a vehicle, in particular a industrial truck, comprising a steering column rotatably mounted in a guide ring, for which two adjustment slots are provided at an angle between them, and fastening means,   particular clamping, in the form of guide pins permitting   for locking a set position in the slots, one of which is arranged in a support secured to the vehicle, characterized in that the guide ring (3) is guided relative to the two slots (21,22) without being able to tilt,   and the two slots make a predetermined angle between them.   2. Device. according to claim 1, characterized in that a first slot (21) is arranged in the support (2)   attached to the vehicle so as to be parallel to a direction   tation of the steering column (7).   3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized   in that a guide element (15) is guided in the first   first slot (21) in the direction of the length of the steering column without being able to pivot and constitutes a guide for a slide (13) whose guide ring (3) is integral and which has a second slot (22) forming a angle with the first slot (21), and in that a pin   guide passes through the two slots.   4. Device according to claim 1 or 3, characterized   in that the second slot (22) is horizontal.   5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the slide (13) is guided in a U-shaped recess (16) of the guide element (15), which is guided in the first slot (21). ) by means of screws   cylindrical arranged at a distance one of the be.   6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized   characterized in that the guide pin is a part of a locking screw (23) having an abutment head (25) and associated with a threaded handle (24), thereby locking a determined set position in the slots (21,22).   7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized   in that the support (2) is double walled and has in its walls (14, 14 ') two parallel slots (21, 21')   constituting the first slot parallel to the column of   rection, slots in which can move between the walls (14,14 ') the guide member (15) on which is guided the slide (13) having the second slot (22) making an angle with the first.   8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized   characterized in that the steering column is connected, in known manner, by a universal joint (5) to an intermediate shaft (10) which can extend telescopically and is connected by a second universal joint (11) to a shaft of the mechanism of direction (12).   9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized   rised in that hydraulic steering assistance (29)   is placed on the steering column (7).