Recirculating ball power steering system with sliding joint
AssigneeSteering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
InventorsEric D. Pattok, Travis L. Palmer, Caleb S. Palmer, Bruce M. Collier
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A recirculating ball power steering system includes an electric motor. The system also includes a ball screw rotatably driven by the electric motor. The system further includes a ball nut translatable along the ball screw in a linear direction during rotation of the ball screw. The system yet further includes a sliding joint in sliding contact with an outer surface of the ball nut, the sliding joint moveable in a non-parallel direction relative to the linear direction of the ball nut.
Claims20
A recirculating ball power steering system comprising:
- an electric motor;
- a ball screw rotatably driven by the electric motor;
- a ball nut translatable along the ball screw in a linear direction during rotation of the ball screw;
- and
- a sliding joint in sliding contact with an outer surface of the ball nut, the sliding joint moveable in a non-parallel direction relative to the linear direction of the ball nut.
A recirculating ball power steering system comprising:
- an electric motor;
- a ball screw rotatably driven by the electric motor;
- a ball nut translatable along the ball screw during rotation of the ball screw;
- a sliding joint in sliding contact with an outer surface of the ball nut;
- a lever arm extending from a first end to a second end, the lever arm pivotally coupled to the sliding joint proximate the first end of the lever arm;
- and
- a sector gear teeth arrangement formed on the second end of the lever arm.
A recirculating ball power steering system comprising:
- an electric motor;
- a ball screw rotatably driven by the electric motor;
- a ball nut translatable along the ball screw during rotation of the ball screw;
- a sliding joint in sliding contact with an outer surface of the ball nut;
- a lever extending from a first end to a second end, the lever pivotally coupled to the sliding joint proximate the first end of the lever;
- and
- a Pitman shaft coupled to the lever proximate the second end of the lever.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.