Coupling arrangement

Abstract

A coupling arrangement for connection between a first rotatable shaft and a second rotatable shaft includes a first rotatable portion connectable to the first rotatable shaft, and a second rotatable portion connectable to the second rotatable shaft. The coupling arrangement includes a first reciprocating element mechanically connected to the first rotatable portion at a first interconnecting portion for transforming a rotating motion from the first rotatable portion to a linear motion of the first reciprocating element and a second reciprocating element mechanically connected to the second rotatable portion at a second interconnecting portion for transforming a linear motion from the second reciprocating element to a rotating motion of the second rotatable portion. The coupling arrangement includes a connecting element rotatably connected to each of the first reciprocating element and the second reciprocating element for allowing a relative rotation between the connecting element and the first and second reciprocating elements, respectively.

Claims

1. A coupling arrangement for connection between a first rotatable shaft and a second rotatable shaft, the coupling arrangement comprising: a first rotatable portion connectable to the first rotatable shaft; a first reciprocating element mechanically connected to the first rotatable portion at a first interconnecting portion for transforming a rotating motion from the first rotatable portion to a linear motion of the first reciprocating element; a second rotatable portion connectable to the second rotatable shaft; a second reciprocating element mechanically connected to the second rotatable portion at a second interconnecting portion for transforming a linear motion from the second reciprocating element to a rotating motion of the second rotatable portion; and a connecting element rotatably connected to each of the first reciprocating element and the second reciprocating element for allowing a relative rotation between the connecting element and the first and second reciprocating elements, respectively, wherein the first interconnecting portion comprises a first elongated groove and a first pin, the first pin being slidable between end portions of the first elongated groove, wherein the first pin is eccentrically connected to the first rotatable portion, and wherein the first elongated groove is connected to the first reciprocating element.

2. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, wherein the connecting element is a first connecting element, the coupling arrangement further comprising a second connecting element rotatably connected to each of the first reciprocating element and the second reciprocating element, wherein the first and second connecting elements are positioned on a respective end portion of the first and second reciprocating elements.

3. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, wherein a direction of the linear motion of the first reciprocating element is perpendicular to an axis around which the first rotatable portion rotates.

4. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, wherein a direction of the linear motion of the second reciprocating element is perpendicular to an axis around which the second rotatable portion rotates.

5. The coupling arrangement of claim 4, wherein the first elongated groove is elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extension of the first reciprocating element.

6. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, further comprising first and second support brackets connected to the first reciprocating element on a respective side of the first rotatable portion.

7. The coupling arrangement of claim 6, wherein the first and second support brackets are slidably connected to the first reciprocating element for allowing the linear motion between the first reciprocating element and the first and second support brackets, respectively.

8. The coupling arrangement of claim 6, wherein the first and second brackets define respective end positions for the amplitude of the linear motion of the first reciprocating element.

9. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, further comprising third and fourth support brackets connected to the second reciprocating element on a respective side of the second rotatable portion.

10. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, wherein the coupling arrangement is a steering column coupling, the steering column coupling being connectable between a first rotatable shaft in the form of an upper steering column connectable to a steering wheel of a vehicle, and a second rotatable shaft in the form of a lower steering column connectable to wheels of the vehicle.

11. A vehicle comprising a first rotatable shaft, a second rotatable shaft and the coupling arrangement of claim 1, the coupling arrangement being connected between the first and second rotatable shafts.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the first rotatable shaft is an upper steering column connected to a steering wheel of the vehicle, and the second shaft is a lower steering column connected to a pair of steerable wheels of the vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a lateral side view illustrating an example embodiment of a vehicle in the form of a truck;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a coupling arrangement according to an example embodiment;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of the coupling arrangement in FIG. 2 when exposed to an angular displacement; and

(5) FIG. 4 is a side view of the coupling arrangement in FIG. 2 when exposed to a linear displacement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an exemplary embodiment is shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness. Like reference character refer to like elements throughout the description.

(7) With particular reference to FIG. 1, there is provided a vehicle 10 in the form of a truck. The vehicle 10 comprises a steering wheel 20 for steering the front steerable wheels 30 of the vehicle. The vehicle 10 in FIG. 1 is particularly suitable for use of a coupling arrangement as will be described further below. In the example depicted in FIG. 1, the coupling arrangement 100 is arranged as a steering column coupling connected between a first rotatable shaft 102 in the form of an upper steering column connected to the steering wheel 20, and a second rotatable shaft 104 in the form of a lower steering column connectable to the wheels 30 of the vehicle 10.

(8) In order to describe the coupling arrangement in further detail, reference is made to FIGS. 2-4. Starting with FIG. 2, which is a perspective view of the coupling arrangement according to an example embodiment. As can be seen, the coupling arrangement 100 comprises a first rotatable portion 106 which is connected to the first rotatable shaft 102. The coupling arrangement 100 further comprises a first interconnecting portion 112 and a first reciprocating element 110. As can be seen, the first interconnecting portion 112 comprises a first elongated groove 202 within a first elongated wall portion which is mechanically connected to the first reciprocating element 110, and a first pin 204 eccentrically connected to the first rotatable portion 106. The first pin 204 is preferably arranged to slide between an upper 402 and a lower 404 end portion of the first elongated groove 202.

(9) Moreover, the coupling arrangement 100 further comprises a second rotatable portion 108 which is connected to the second rotatable shaft 104. The coupling arrangement 100 further comprises a second interconnecting portion 116 and a second reciprocating element 114. In a similar vein as for the first interconnecting portion 112, although not illustrated, the second interconnecting portion 116 comprises a second elongated groove within a second elongated wall portion which is mechanically connected to the second reciprocating element 114, and a second pin eccentrically connected to the second rotatable portion 108. The second pin is preferably arranged to slide between an upper and a lower end portion of the second elongated groove.

(10) The coupling arrangement 100 further comprises a first 118 and a second 118 connecting element. The first 118 and second 118 connecting elements are each rotatably connected to the first 110 and second 114 reciprocating elements, respectively.

(11) Hereby, the first reciprocating element 110 can rotate relative a first end portion 150, 150 of the first 118 and second 118 connecting elements, respectively. In other words, the first reciprocating element 110 can rotate relative the first 118 and second 118 connecting elements around a geometric axis 160 extending along the extension of the first reciprocating element 110. Preferably, the coupling arrangement 100 comprises a bearing arrangement 130 between the first reciprocating element 110 and the connecting elements 118, 118, respectively.

(12) In a similar vein, the second reciprocating element 114 can here rotate relative a second end portion 152, 152 of the first 118 and second 118 connecting elements, respectively. In other words, the second reciprocating element 114 can rotate relative the first 118 and second 118 connecting elements around a geometric axis 162 extending along the extension of the second reciprocating element 114. Preferably, the coupling arrangement 100 comprises a second bearing arrangement 132 between the second reciprocating element 114 and the connecting elements 118, 118, respectively.

(13) Moreover, the first 118 and second 118 connecting elements are preferably arranged to follow the linear reciprocating motion of the first 110 and second 114 reciprocating elements. When the first reciprocating element 110 moves along the geometric axis 160, the first 118 and second 118 connecting elements will move in the same direction, i.e. in the direction of the geometric axis 160. Hereby, the second reciprocating element 114 will move along geometric axis 162. A relative linear motion between the first 110 and second 114 reciprocating elements, and each of the connecting elements 118, 118 is thus prevented.

(14) The following will now describe the motion pattern of the coupling arrangement 100 during use thereof. When the first rotatable shaft 102 is rotated, the first rotatable portion 106 will also rotate. When the first rotatable portion 106 rotates, the first interconnecting portion 112 will transform the rotating motion to a linear motion of the first reciprocating element 110. In detail, the first pin 204 will move in a circumferential direction of the first rotatable element 106 during rotation thereof. As the first pin 204 is slidably connected to the elongated groove 202, the first pin 204 will move between the end portions 402, 404 of the elongated groove 202, whereby the first reciprocating element 110 will move along the geometric axis 160, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the axis 155 around which the first rotatable portion 106 rotates.

(15) As described above, the first 118 and second 118 connecting elements are connected to the first reciprocating element 110 in such a way as to follow the reciprocating motion thereof. As such, when the first reciprocating element 110 linearly reciprocates, the first 118 and second 118 connecting elements also move linearly in the direction of the geometric axis 160. Hereby, the second reciprocating element 114 will be exposed to a linear motion, with the same amplitude and speed as the linear motion of the first reciprocating element 110. The second reciprocating element 114 will move linearly along the direction of the geometric axis 162.

(16) The second reciprocating element 114 is connected to the second rotatable portion 108 by means of the second interconnecting portion 116. The second interconnecting portion 116 is preferably similar as the above described first interconnecting portion 112. The linear reciprocating motion of the second reciprocating element 114 is thus transformed into a rotational motion of the second rotatable portion 108 by means of the second interconnecting portion 116. The linear motion of the second reciprocating element 114 is preferably a direction which is perpendicular to the axis 157 around which the second rotatable portion 108 rotates.

(17) By means of the above, the first 106 and second 108 rotatable portions will rotate in the same direction relative its respective axis 155, 157 and with the same rotational velocity.

(18) As further depicted in FIG. 2, the coupling arrangement also comprises a first 302, second 304, third 306 and fourth 308 support brackets. The first 302 and second 304 support brackets are slidably connected to the first reciprocating element 110 at a respective side of the first rotatable portion 106, while the third 306 and fourth 308 support brackets are slidably connected to the second reciprocating element 114 at a respective side of the second rotatable portion 108. The support brackets 302, 304, 306, 308 can define end portions for the amplitude of the linear motion of the first and second reciprocating elements, respectively.

(19) The support brackets are arranged to connect the coupling arrangement to one or more stationary portions. When using the coupling arrangement 100 as a steering column coupling, the third 306 and fourth 308 support brackets are preferably fixedly connecting the coupling arrangement 100 in a particular position, while the first 302 and second 304 support brackets are connected to an adjustable portion such that the position of the steering wheel can be adjusted.

(20) Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which is a side view of the coupling arrangement 100 described above in relation to FIG. 2. In particular, the coupling arrangement 100 in FIG. 3 is exposed to an angular displacement. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the first 118 and second 118 connecting elements have been rotated around the first reciprocating element 110, i.e. rotated around the geometric axis 160. In other words, the first reciprocating element 110 and the connecting elements 118, 118 are rotated relative each other. The second reciprocating element 114 has however not been rotated relative the connecting elements 118, 118. As such, an angular displacement between the first rotatable shaft 102 and the second rotatable shaft 104 is achieved.

(21) With reference to FIG. 4, which is a side view of the coupling arrangement in FIG. 2 when exposed to a linear displacement. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the first 118 and second 118 connecting elements are rotated around the first reciprocating element 110 in a similar manner as for the example depicted in FIG. 3. However, the first 118 and second 118 connecting elements are also rotated around the second reciprocating element 114, i.e. around the geometric axis 162. Hereby, the first 102 and second 104 rotatable shafts are purely linearly displaced.

(22) Although not depicted, a combined angular and linear displacement may of course be achieved by means of the above described coupling arrangement. This is achieved by rotating the first 110 and second 114 reciprocating elements with different amplitude, such that e.g. the first reciprocating element 110 is rotated around the geometric axis 160 to a larger extent compared to the rotation of the second reciprocating element 114 around its geometric axis 162.

(23) It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.