Patent Application
20100066047
The present invention relates to a vehicle steering knuckle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a vehicle steering knuckle with an adapter sleeve.
In a conventional vehicle steer axle assembly, a steering knuckle assembly may include a body, steering arms, a brake mounting plate, a spindle for a wheel hub, bearings, and a tire assembly (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,623,019 which is incorporated herein by reference). The steering knuckle is coupled to a steer axle using a separable kingpin and the steering arms are connected to steering components of a vehicle.
Typically, the steering knuckle has a forked yoke that defines first and second knuckle body bosses with aligned bores. The yoke partially surrounds one end of the steer axle which defines an axle boss having an axle bore aligned with the knuckle body bores of the knuckle yoke. The kingpin extends through a first knuckle body bore, through the axle bore, and through the remaining knuckle body bore to rotatably couple the knuckle and the steer axle together.
In these conventional steer axle assemblies, the knuckle pivots about the kingpin on a vertically inclined steering axis. Typically, bushings are disposed (for example, pressed) within the aligned bores of the knuckle body to allow the knuckle to rotate relative to the kingpin.
In addition, some knuckles have upper and lower steering bores wherein the steering arms and tie rod arms are disposed. The steering arms and the tie rod arms are utilized to control the steering of the vehicle. These knuckle steering bores are typically inclined horizontally.
Conventional steer axle assemblies, however, suffer from several disadvantages. Typically, the shapes of the knuckle steering bores are different for each side of the vehicle and the knuckle steering bores are sized uniquely for each steer axle assembly and may be sized uniquely from knuckle top to knuckle bottom, due to, for example, the assembly direction (i.e., forward to rear (rearwardly directed) or rear to forward (forwardly directed)) of entry of the steering/tie rod arm into the knuckle steering bores. As a result, separate knuckles are required for each side of the vehicle, which requires higher design, material, manufacturing, labor, inventory, and operational costs.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,019 to Dubensky discloses a steering knuckle fabricated of sheet metal that is usable as a left hand or a right hand steering knuckle by orienting the control arm channels to point in one direction or the other. Dubensky requires three channels that utilize ball joints to mount upper and lower control arms or tie rods and requires the control arm channels to be symmetrical about a horizontal axis so that the steering knuckle may be used on either side.
Today, knuckles need to be robust (e.g., forged steel versus sheet metal) and often require the ability to be mechanically coupled to a tie rod on both sides of a vehicle. In addition, the steering arms are not only connected to a knuckle in a forewardly directed manner but are also connected to the knuckle steering bore in a rearwardly directed manner. This, however, requires the use of different vehicle knuckles for both sides of the vehicle.
Thus, what is sought is to provide a robust vehicle steer axle assembly that does not utilize separate knuckles for each side of a vehicle, for each steer axle, or for the assembly direction of entry of the steering/tie rod arms into the knuckle steering bores. This should at least result in providing vehicle steer axle assemblies with lower material, inventory, design, manufacturing, labor, and operational costs.
A vehicle knuckle comprises a first steering boss having a first continuous channel connecting a first channel opening and a second channel opening where the first channel tapers outward from an inner diameter to each of the first and second channel openings. The knuckle further comprises a second steering boss having a second continuous channel connecting a third opening and a fourth opening where the second channel tapers outward from an inner diameter to each of the third and fourth openings. The knuckle also comprises a hollow first adapter sleeve for location within the first or second channel opening of the first steering boss, and a hollow second adapter sleeve for location within the third or the fourth opening of the second steering boss. As a result of this structure, the knuckle may be used on either side of a vehicle, may allow for entry of a steering arm/tie rod arm from forward to rear (rearwardly directed) or rear to forward (forwardly directed) in either an upper steering boss or a lower steering boss, and may be applied to various sizes of knuckle-steer axle assemblies.
Further advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of a specification, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts of several views.
It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
The adapter sleeve 26 of
The adapter sleeve 28 of
It may be appreciated that the above-stated structure, which is depicted in
Subsequent to completing the direction of orientation of the sleeves 26, 28 and their oppositely directed oriented counterpart steering arms 20, 20A or tie rod arms 30, 30A, a nut 36 is assembled to the end 38 or 42 of each arm 20, 20A, 30, 30A. As a result of tightening the nut 36, the arms 20, 20A or 30, 30A, which have the corresponding tapers T1, T2 or T3, T4, cooperate with an inside surface 47 or 48 of the hollow adapter sleeves 26 or 28 that are disposed in the channel opening that is opposite the channel opening where the arms 20, 20A or 30, 30A have entered their corresponding channels. Further, the nut 36 cooperates with an external peripheral surface 51 or 52 of the hollow adapter sleeves 26 or 28. Thus, the arms 20, 20A, 30, 30A and the hollow adapter sleeves 26, 28 are secured within the channels 16, 18.
It can further be appreciated that the arms 20, 30 may be disposed within either opening in a corresponding steering boss channel 16, 18 of the knuckle 10, where the adapter sleeve 26 or 28 “fills in” the taper at the opening which is opposite to where the steering arm 20 or the tie rod arm 30 enters the knuckle channel 16, 18. Hence, the knuckle 10 can be shaped and sized the same for each channel 16, 18.
Also illustrated in
As
One skilled in the art recognizes that the keyway 45A would be disposed through an outward surface of the sleeve 26, 28, wherein the key 46A would be disposed on an inward surface of the knuckle channels 16, 18. Alternately, the keyway 45 can be disposed through the inward surface of the knuckle channels 16, 18, wherein the key 46 would be disposed on the outward surface of the sleeve 26, 28. As a result of either of these configurations, the key 46, 46A would rotationally lock the sleeves 26, 28 to the knuckle 10 when the nut is tightened.
As a result of the above-identified structure, a vehicle steer axle assembly does not require different knuckle assemblies for each side of a vehicle and for each steer axle, thus providing a vehicle steer axle assembly with lower material, inventory, design, manufacturing, labor, and operational costs. In addition, through the use of such a common knuckle 10 on each side of a vehicle, replacement time by service personnel may be reduced.
Note that, in general, throughout the subject application and, in particular, with respect to the dimensional differences between the sleeves 26, 28, the bosses 12, 14, the arms 20, 30, the keys 46, 46A, and the keyways 45, 45A, which may only be in fractions of an inch, the patent figures are not intended to be utilized to precisely measure these difference.
In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principles and modes of operation of this invention have been described and illustrated in its preferred embodiments. However, it must be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.
