US 6,019,012 A · Lash adjustment mechanism

Abstract

An apparatus for use in turning steerable wheels of a vehicle includes a first gear (16) and a second gear (14). The first gear (16) is movable along an axis (24) to reduce clearance between meshing teeth (18 and 20) on the gears (14 and 16). A lash adjustment assembly (46) is operable to adjust the clearance between the teeth (18 and 20) of the gears (14 and 16). The lash adjustment assembly (46) includes a threaded member (60). An external thread convolution (66) on a shank portion (64) of the threaded member (60) engages an internal thread convolution (68) on the first gear (16). A spring (72) has a plurality of turns (78) which are coiled around the shank portion (64) of the threaded member (60). One end portion of the spring (72) is connected to the shank portion (64) of the externally threaded force member (60). The opposite end portion (74) of the spring (72) is movable between an active condition in which it is effective to transmit force to a housing (30) and an inactive condition in which it is effective to transmit force to the threaded member (60).

Claims12

Dependent claims

A vehicle steering apparatus comprising:

a first gear which is rotatable about an axis;
a second gear having gear teeth in meshing engagement with gear teeth on said first gear;
and
adjustment means for moving said first gear in one direction along said axis to reduce clearance between said meshing gear teeth, said adjustment means including:
a threaded member having a threaded connection with said first gear centered on said axis;
means fixing said threaded member against movement along said axis and enabling rotation of said member about said axis, rotation of said member causing movement of said first gear along said axis in said one direction;
a torsion spring for rotating said threaded member about said axis, said torsion spring having a first end connected to said threaded member and a second end;
and
a cam for moving said second end of said torsion spring between a first position in which said torsion spring acts to rotate said threaded member and a second position in which said torsion spring does not act to rotate said member.

6 more elements

A apparatus for use in turning steerable wheels of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

a first gear;
a second gear having teeth in meshing engagement with said first gear;
a housing at least partially enclosing said first and second gears;
a threaded member having a threaded connection with said first gear;
a spring, said spring having a first end portion connected with said threaded member, said spring having a second end portion movable between an active condition in which said second end portion of said spring is effective to transmit force to said housing to enable said spring to urge said threaded member to rotate relative to said first gear and an inactive condition in which said second end portion of said spring is effective to transmit force to said threaded member and said spring is ineffective to urge said threaded member to rotate relative to said first gear;
and
an actuator which engages said second end portion of said spring and is effective to move said second end portion of said spring from the active condition to the inactive condition upon turning of the steerable vehicle wheels.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Lash adjustment mechanism

Life of this patent

Lash adjustment mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12