Power steering device including a compliant gear
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A power steering device comprising:
- a first gear having a centerline axis;
a second gear operatively connected to the first gear, the second gear having a rotational axis, the rotational axis being maintained substantially coplanar with the centerline axis; and
a compliant member operatively connected with the second gear, the compliant member allowing rotational compliance of the second gear while avoiding axial and radial compliance;
a first drive element fixedly mounted to the second gear, the first drive element including an external bearing land and an inner hub, the inner hub receiving the compliant member; and
a first bearing mounted to the external bearing land of the first drive element and a second bearing mounted in the inner hub of the first drive element, the first and second bearings enhancing alignment of the centerline axis and the rotational axis.
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Abstract
A power steering device includes a first gear provided on the first shaft, the first gear having a centerline axis, and a second gear operatively connected to the first gear. The second gear includes a rotational axis that is maintained substantially coplanar with the centerline axis. The power steering device further includes a compliant member operatively connected with the second gear. The compliant member allows rotational compliance of the second gear while avoiding axial and radial compliance.
57 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A power steering device comprising:
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a first gear having a centerline axis; a second gear operatively connected to the first gear, the second gear having a rotational axis, the rotational axis being maintained substantially coplanar with the centerline axis; and a compliant member operatively connected with the second gear, the compliant member allowing rotational compliance of the second gear while avoiding axial and radial compliance; a first drive element fixedly mounted to the second gear, the first drive element including an external bearing land and an inner hub, the inner hub receiving the compliant member; and a first bearing mounted to the external bearing land of the first drive element and a second bearing mounted in the inner hub of the first drive element, the first and second bearings enhancing alignment of the centerline axis and the rotational axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus comprising:
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a worm having a centerline axis; a worm gear operatively connected to the worm, the worm gear having a rotational axis, the rotational axis being maintained substantially coplanar with the centerline axis, the worm gear including a compliant member, the compliant member allowing rotational compliance of the worm gear while avoiding axial and radial compliance that would impact alignment between the rotational axis and centerline axis; a first drive element fixedly mounted to the worm gear, the first drive element receiving the compliant member; and a first bearing mounted to the external bearing land of the first drive element and a second bearing mounted in the inner hub of the first drive element, the first and second bearings enhancing alignment of the centerline axis and the rotational axis. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus comprising:
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a worm gear including a compliant member that allows rotational compliance of the worm gear while avoiding axial and radial compliance; a first drive element fixedly mounted to the worm gear, the first drive element including an external bearing land and an inner hub, the inner hub receiving the compliant member; a first bearing mounted to the external bearing land of the first drive element; and a second bearing mounted in the inner hub of the first drive element, the first and second bearings enhancing alignment of the centerline axis and the rotational axis. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification