# US 10,308,277 B2 · Spherical washer assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,308,277 B2 - Document ID: US10308277B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/805,850 - Filed: 2015-07-22 - Published: 2017-01-26 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-07-22 - Assignees: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation - Applicants: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation - Inventors: Edwin J. Nab, Jr.; Richard L. Deitering - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10308277B2 ## CPC - B62D 5/04: electrical, e.g. using an electric servo-motor connected to, or forming part of, the steering gear - B62D 1/16: Steering columns - B62D 3/12: of rack-and-pinion type - F16B 43/00: Washers or equivalent devices; Other devices for supporting bolt-heads or nuts (circlips F16B21/18; {for indicating tensile load F16B31/02; forming a whole with the bolt or nut F16B33/00; locking bolts or nuts by means of a fixed plate or ring, or washer-like resilient plates F16B39/10, F16B39/24}) - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) ## Abstract According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention a steering mounting assembly to couple a rack and pinion steering mechanism to a vehicle is provided. The steering mounting assembly includes a first spherical washer to interface with the rack and pinion steering mechanism. The steering mounting assembly further includes a second spherical washer to interface with the vehicle and the first spherical washer. The first spherical washer and the second spherical washer form a relative angle between the rack and pinion steering mechanism and the vehicle. The steering mounting assembly further includes a ring retainer to retain the first spherical washer and the second spherical washer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A steering mounting assembly to couple a rack and pinion steering mechanism to a vehicle, the steering mounting assembly comprising: a first spherical washer to interface with the rack and pinion steering mechanism, the first spherical washer including a spherical bevel; a second spherical washer to interface with the vehicle, the second spherical washer including a spherical bevel in direct operative contact with the spherical bevel of the first spherical washer, the first spherical washer and the second spherical washer forms a relative angle between the rack and pinion steering mechanism and the vehicle; and a ring retainer to retain the first spherical washer and the second spherical washer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The steering mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the relative angle is adjustable. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The steering mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the ring retainer is formed of a polymeric material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The steering mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the first spherical washer is pressed into the rack and pinion steering mechanism. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The steering mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the first spherical washer has a retaining lip to engage with the ring retainer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The steering mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the first spherical washer includes a collar to engage the rack and pinion steering mechanism. ### Claim 7 An electric power steering system comprising: a steering shaft connected to a handwheel at one end and a rack and pinion steering mechanism at an opposite end; a steering assist unit comprising an electric motor operated by a controller and driving a worm shaft and a worm gear interposed between said worm shaft and said steering shaft; and a steering mounting assembly to couple the rack and pinion steering mechanism to a vehicle, the steering mounting assembly comprising: a first spherical washer to interface with the rack and pinion steering mechanism, the first spherical washer including a spherical bevel; a second spherical washer to interface with the vehicle, the second spherical washer including a spherical bevel in direct operative contact with the spherical bevel of the first spherical washer, the first spherical washer and the second spherical washer forms a relative angle between the rack and pinion steering mechanism and the vehicle; and a ring retainer to retain the first spherical washer and the second spherical washer. ### Claim 8 An electric power steering system for a vehicle comprising: a steering assist unit including a housing; and a washer assembly including a first spherical washer adapted to interface with the housing, and a second spherical washer adapted to interface between the first spherical washer and the vehicle, the first and second spherical washers adapted to adjust and conform to a relative angle between the housing and the vehicle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The electric power steering system set forth in claim 8, wherein the first spherical washer is in fixed engagement with the housing, and the second washer is in fixed engagement with the vehicle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The electric power steering system set forth in claim 9, wherein the first and second washers each include a spherical bevel in direct and adjustable contact with one-another. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The electric power steering system set forth in claim 8, wherein the washer assembly includes a ring retainer adapted to retain the first spherical washer and the second spherical washer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The electric power steering system set forth in claim 11, wherein the first spherical washer has a retaining lip adapted to engage the ring retainer and a collar adapted to engage the housing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The electric power steering system set forth in claim 8, further comprising: a rack and pinion steering mechanism; and a steering shaft connected to a steering wheel at one end and the rack and pinion steering mechanism at an opposite end, wherein the steering assist unit is adapted to apply a rotational torque upon the steering shaft. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The electric power steering system set forth in claim 13, wherein the steering assist unit includes a worm shaft, an electric motor adapted to drive the worm shaft, and a worm gear interposed between the worm shaft and the steering shaft.