# US 12,759,614 B2 · Steer-by-wire road wheel actuator ball screw anti-rotation mechanism > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,759,614 B2 - Document ID: US12759614B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/458,217 - Filed: 2023-08-30 - Published: 2024-02-29 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2022-08-30 - Assignees: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation - Applicants: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation - Inventors: Ryan D. Harris; Trent E. Konwinski; Christopher R. Case Myers; Eric D. Pattok; Travis L. Palmer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12759614B2 ## CPC - B62D 5/001: {Mechanical components or aspects of steer-by-wire systems, not otherwise provided for in this maingroup} - B62D 5/0448: {Ball nuts} - 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) ## Abstract A steer-by-wire steering system for a vehicle includes a rack moveable in an axial direction. The steer-by-wire steering system also includes an anti-rotation mechanism disposed proximate an outer surface of the rack at the mounting location of the rack. The anti-rotation mechanism includes a yoke having a bearing journal extending therefrom. The anti-rotation mechanism also includes a bearing disposed on the bearing journal of the yoke. The anti-rotation mechanism further includes a running plate structure disposed within a rack housing and extending in a longitudinal direction of the rack, wherein the bearing and the yoke are positioned to move along a surface of the running plate structure during movement of the rack in the axial direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A steer-by-wire steering system for a vehicle comprising: a rack moveable in an axial direction; and an anti-rotation mechanism disposed proximate an outer surface of the rack at the mounting location of the rack, the anti-rotation mechanism comprising: a yoke having a bearing journal extending therefrom; a bearing disposed on the bearing journal of the yoke; a running plate structure disposed within a rack housing and extending in a longitudinal direction of the rack, wherein the bearing and the yoke are positioned to move along a surface of the running plate structure during movement of the rack in the axial direction; a biasing member in contact with the yoke; a slider operatively coupled to the biasing member, the slider a being distinct, separate component from the bearing, wherein the biasing member and the slider apply a torque to the yoke during operation, wherein the slider is formed of a material having a coefficient of friction lower than the coefficient of friction of the running plate structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The steer-by-wire steering system of claim 1, wherein the running plate structure comprises: a first plate segment; a second plate segment; and an end segment connecting the first plate segment and the second plate segment. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The steer-by-wire steering system of claim 2, wherein the first plate segment and the second plate segment are parallel to each other to form a U-shaped component. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The steer-by-wire steering system of claim 3, wherein the first plate segment has a first inner running plate surface, wherein the second plate segment has a second inner running plate surface, wherein a distance between the first inner running plate surface and the second inner running plate surface is greater than an outer diameter of the bearing, wherein the outer diameter of the bearing includes a curved surface in contact with the running plate structure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The steer-by-wire steering system of claim 1, wherein the running plate structure is an integrally formed component. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The steer-by-wire steering system of claim 1, wherein the rack is axially driven by a rotating ball nut. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The steer-by-wire steering system of claim 1, wherein the rack is axially driven by a pair of rotating ball nuts. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The steer-by-wire steering system of claim 7, wherein the anti-rotation mechanism is located on the rack between the pair of rotating ball nuts. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The steer-by-wire steering system of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is positioned within a groove defined by an axially extending portion of the yoke. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The steer-by-wire steering system of claim 9, wherein the axially extending portion of the yoke defines a retention hole to locate and fix an end of the biasing member, wherein the yoke is clamped to the rack with a mechanical fastener. ### Claim 11 A steer-by-wire steering system for a vehicle comprising: a rack moveable in an axial direction; and an anti-rotation mechanism disposed proximate an outer surface of the rack at the mounting location of the rack, the anti-rotation mechanism comprising: a yoke having a bearing journal extending therefrom; a bearing disposed on the bearing journal of the yoke; and a running plate structure disposed within a rack housing and extending in a longitudinal direction of the rack, wherein the bearing is positioned to move along a surface of the running plate structure during movement of the rack in the axial direction, wherein the running plate structure comprises: a first plate segment; a second plate segment; and an end segment connecting the first plate segment and the second plate segment; a biasing member in contact with the yoke; and a slider operatively coupled to the biasing member, the slider a being distinct, separate component from the bearing, wherein the biasing member and the slider apply a torque on the yoke during operation, wherein the slider is formed of a material having a coefficient of friction lower than the coefficient of friction of the running plate structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The steer-by-wire steering system of claim 11, wherein the first plate segment has a first inner running plate surface, wherein the second plate segment has a second inner running plate surface, wherein a distance between the first inner running plate surface and the second inner running plate surface is greater than an outer diameter of the bearing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The steer-by-wire steering system of claim 11, wherein the running plate structure is an integrally formed component. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The steer-by-wire steering system of claim 11, wherein the rack is axially driven by a rotating ball nut. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The steer-by-wire steering system of claim 11, wherein the rack is axially driven by a pair of rotating ball nuts. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The steer-by-wire steering system of claim 15, wherein the anti-rotation mechanism is located on the rack between the pair of rotating ball nuts. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The steer-by-wire steering system of claim 11, wherein the biasing member is positioned within a groove defined by an axially extending portion of the yoke. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The steer-by-wire steering system of claim 17, wherein the axially extending portion of the yoke defines a retention hole to locate and fix an end of the biasing member.