Automatic Control Patents (Class 74/398)
  • Patent number: 11293522
    Abstract: An electric power steering system with a worm gear includes a worm shaft and a worm wheel, wherein an electric motor is associated with the worm shaft, which is connected to the worm shaft in a force-transmitting manner. A bearing element, arranged on the worm shaft at the end of the worm shaft facing away from the electric motor, is received in a guide bush, wherein the guide bush has, on its circumferential side, a passage opening. It is provided a pre-tensioning device comprising a spring-loaded actuator element extending through the passage opening of the guide bush and acting on the worm shaft in the direction of the worm wheel with a defined pre-tensioning force (K), wherein the pre-tensioning device comprises a limiting device which is adapted to limit a pivoting movement that displaces the worm wheel away from the worm shaft. Furthermore, it is proposed a method for the production of steering systems and a test system for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Kirschstein, Toni Müller
  • Patent number: 9018876
    Abstract: When a current sensor fails, instead of a normal-time motor control section, an abnormal-time motor control section drives and controls a motor. The abnormal-time motor control section detects a timing at which motor current I becomes zero in a state in which all the switching devices are turned off (S11 to S13). Every time the motor current I becomes zero, the abnormal-time motor control section sets an ON time T0 corresponding to steering torque |tr| (S14 to S15), and turns on the switching devices corresponding to the direction of the steering torque for the ON time T0 (S17 to S20). With this operation, an average current Iavg corresponding to the steering torque |tr| flows through the motor 20, whereby deterioration of the followability of steering assist is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichiro Aoki
  • Publication number: 20130047763
    Abstract: A device for pressing a rack onto a pinion engaged with the rack, in particular for a steering system of a motor vehicle, comprising a pressure piece, which can be loaded in the direction of the rack and is displaceably guided in a housing, and comprising an adjusting device for compensating play that occurs in the steering system. In known devices, the play of the pressure piece must be set by way of an adjusting screw. This proves to be very complicated and problematic. An adjusting screw is therefore provided, wherein a spring washer is disposed between the adjusting screw and the adjusting device, and the adjusting device has a shoulder and the adjusting screw has a recess, or the adjusting device has the recess and the adjusting screw has the shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: Helmut BAREIS
  • Patent number: 6431317
    Abstract: A tri-modal—energy storage mode, fail-safe mode, and operating mode—fail-safe actuator with low overall power consumption and specifically low fail-safe power consumption due to energy storage pawling mechanisms. Stored energy is discharged at a controlled rate in fail-safe mode. The actuator's sequencing through its three modes is enabled by a dual-cam/clutch system which is powered separately from the operational (shaft control) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Valvcon Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Coe
  • Patent number: 6269709
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes first (20) and second (40) meshing gears, a rotatable eccentric (50), a torsion spring (70), and a rotation blocking member (80). The first gear (20) is rotatable about a first axis (22) and the second gear (40) is rotatable about a second axis (42). The rotatable eccentric (50) supports the first gear (20) for rotation about the first axis (22). Rotation of the eccentric (50) in a first direction (54) causes the first axis (22) and the first gear (20) to move toward the second axis (42). The torsion spring (70) biases the eccentric (50) for rotation in the first direction (54). The rotation blocking member (80) prevents rotation of the eccentric (50) in a second direction (56) opposite the first direction (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Henry C. Sangret
  • Patent number: 6155377
    Abstract: In a variable gear ratio steering system, a control unit determines the steering angle ratio which is to be achieved by the steering angle ratio varying unit according to a condition of the vehicle with respect to a given road condition. Such vehicle conditions may include a road surface frictional coefficient so that an excessive steering may be avoided on slippery road surfaces by increasing the steering gear ratio under such conditions. Such vehicle conditions may also include a side force utilization ratio of the steerable wheels so that an excessive steering may be avoided when there is little margin in the available side force for the steerable wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tokunaga, Yasuo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6076266
    Abstract: A theodolite that includes a stand, a telescope, a friction gear and a worm gear. The telescope is pivotally secured to the stand. The clutch plate is secured to the telescope for at least limited rotational movement upon pivoting of the telescope. The friction gear is mounted for rotation about substantially the same axis as rotation of the clutch plate. The worm gear is mounted to the stand and is in constant mesh with the friction gear so that rotation of the worm gear causes rotation of the friction gear. A device engages the friction gear with the clutch plate with a frictional force. The frictional force is adjustable to allow for adjustment of the telescope separately from the worm gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Michael Beckingham, Michael C. Detro
  • Patent number: 5953960
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a rack gear (14) and a sector gear (16) which are disposed in meshing engagement. A lash adjustment assembly (46) is operable to move the sector gear (16) to reduce clearance between teeth (18 and 20) on the rack and sector gears upon rotation of the sector gear to an initial or on-center condition. The lash adjustment assembly (46) includes a force transmitting member (60) having a threaded end portion (90) which engages threads (92) on the sector gear (16). A power spring (100) is connected with the force transmitting member (60) and stores energy to rotate the force transmitting member relative to the sector gear (16). When the sector gear (16) moves to the on-center condition, an index pin (150) is moved relative to an index wheel (138) to release the force transmitting member (60) for rotation through a predetermined distance relative to the sector gear (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick D. Venable
  • Patent number: 5906133
    Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus (10) includes a first gear (16) which is rotatable about an axis (21), and a second gear (14) having gear teeth (18) in meshing engagement with gear teeth (20) on the first gear (16). The apparatus further comprises an adjustment mechanism (22) for moving the first gear (16) in one direction along the axis (21) to reduce clearance between the meshing gear teeth (18, 20). The adjustment mechanism (22) includes a first threaded member (64), a second threaded member (90) and a ratchet drive (98). The first threaded member (64) is movable along the axis (21) in the one direction to move the first gear (16) along the axis in that direction. The second threaded member (90) is screwed together with the first threaded member (64) such that rotation of the second threaded member (90) causes axial movement of the first threaded member (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Wendell L. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 5823055
    Abstract: A worm gear is connected to a machine tool component and has teeth mating with teeth on a power driven worm rotatably supported by a housing enclosing the worm. A clamping shoe is supported for sliding movement within a slot in the housing and has a compound curved inner surface positioned to engage the teeth on the worm. A cam shaft is supported for rotation by the housing and extends laterally through a hole within the clamping shoe. A fluid cylinder is connected to rotate the cam shaft for moving the clamping shoe radially between a released position and a clamping position pressing the teeth on the worm against the teeth on the worm gear by slightly deflecting the worm to lock the head from any movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Dayton Machine Tool Company
    Inventor: G. Daniel Siler
  • Patent number: 5560256
    Abstract: A base support for a moveable object, particularly an amusement ride employing a stepping motor and stepping motor controller to move the object in fine increments. The base support is attached to an upstanding mounting member. An amusement ride is attached to a first support structure connected to a base member. The support structure is operatively connected to a worm gear assembly and motor driven worm gear disposed between the base member and the support structure to effect movement of the amusement ride about a predetermined axis. The worm gear is driven by a stepping motor. The stepping motor is controlled by a stepping motor controller to control incremental movement of the amusement ride. A second worm gear assembly can be interposed transversely between the first support structure and a second support structure to effect movements of the antenna about a horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventor: John L. Tines
  • Patent number: 5349880
    Abstract: A transmission with variable mechanical prestress including a pinion driven by an electric motor, a driven gearwheel with its bearings in a housing, and an electromagnetic actuator for applying a prestress force which is controllable in dependence on an instantaneous load to be handled by the transmission. The electric motor with the pinion is supported so that it can be tilted relative to the housing. Owing to a tilting movement of the electric motor caused by the actuator, the pinion is pressed against the gearwheel with a certain prestress force in a radial direction. The transmission is free from play, while the virtual play arising from friction and hysteresis is strongly reduced, and the positioning accuracy is enhanced as a result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Marinus P. Koster, Casparus W. Kruijer
  • Patent number: 5233920
    Abstract: An image adjusting device for an offset printing machine includes a drive source, an adjustment gear mounted on a rotary shaft and always engaged with a gear mounted on a blanket cylinder for adjusting a position of an image to be printed, a clutch mechanism for selectively transmitting a rotation of the drive source to the adjustment gear, and an encoder for controlling a rotational amount of the adjustment gear, the encoder being mounted on the rotary shaft. Further the image adjusting device has first and second detectors for detecting the rotational positions of the blanket cylinder and a cylinder gear, respectively, a microcomputer provided with calculating means for calculating standard and present phase differences between the blanket cylinder and the cylinder gear, and an input means for inputting an amount of adjustment on the basis of the present phase difference therebetween. Thus, it is possible to more correctly effect the image adjustment in the offset printing press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Ryobi Limited
    Inventors: Takahiko Shinmoto, Hideki Doumoto, Takashi Kimura
  • Patent number: 4903540
    Abstract: A tilt-lock for a tilt-adjustable steering wheel has angular gross and angular fine adjustment capability. A worm gear sector on a housing pivotable with the steering wheel meshes with a worm wheel on a latch plate pivotable on a stationary bracket. When the latch plate is in a latching position the worm wheel meshes with the worm gear sector to capture the angular gross adjusted position of the steering wheel. The worm wheel is rotatable for angular fine adjustment of the steering wheel. When the latch plate is moved to the releasing position, the worm wheel separates from the worm gear sector to release the steering wheel for angular gross adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Howard D. Beauch
  • Patent number: 4827790
    Abstract: An improved system for the automatic recovery of play between a worm and a worm gear, particularly in welding robots, the system being formed by at least one resilient member of the cup spring type or the like, acting perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the worm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Bisiach & Carru' S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Bisiach
  • Patent number: 4796479
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism for engaging and disengaging the thread (14) of a worm (13) from the teeth (17) of a worm gear (16). The worm (13) is mounted in a carrier block (47), disposed in a cavity (39) of a housing (12), from translatory movement towards and away from the worm gear. Springs (52) normally bias the worm away from engagement with the worm gear, while air pressure (34) is used to force the worm towards and into engagement with the worm gear. The cavity (39) and block (47) are tapered to prevent binding during movement of the block, and a spur gear drive is used to drive the worm (13) by motor (22), with the spur gears (18) and (19) being in mesh at all times during movement of the block (47).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventor: Martin L. Wisecarver
  • Patent number: 4693130
    Abstract: A gear train comprises a central wheel for rotation about a central axis and a plurality of pinions engaged with either inner or out circumferential teeth of the central wheel. The pinions are mounted on shafts and have teeth which are meshed with the teeth of the central wheel. A relative position of the pinion and central wheel teeth is influenced through external adjusting forces applied to the wheel and pinions. To this end, the pinions are mounted in active magnetic bearings whose magnetic force is controlled through sensors which sense the radial position of the central wheel. In this way, the radial position of the pinion shafts can be controlled using the magnetic bearings and as a function of the radial position of the circumference of the central wheel to maintain a desired spacing between the wheel and pinion teeth. This control can be used to compensate for centrifugal and thermal expansion or contraction forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: M.A.N.Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nurnberg AG
    Inventor: Joachim Kotzur
  • Patent number: 4414859
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting tooth flank play between two sun gears and at least two planetary gears of a bevel gear differential drive is provided in which, after establishing the operating positions of both sun gears on their sun gear shaft, each planetary gear is shifted on its shaft, previously inserted into a transverse bore of the sun gear shaft, after which the planet gears are brought into their precise operating positions relative to the sun gears and perpendicular to the sun gear shaft and are stopped there with the maintenance of an equal tooth flank play to the sun gears, by first inserting the planetary shaft into the transverse bore of the sun gear shaft in an axially displaceable manner, then placing each planetary gear on its planetary gear shaft with a previously calculated axial distance from the sun gear shaft, and then adjusting an equal tooth flank play by axial displacement of the planetary gears with their planetary gear shafts in the transverse bore and finally fixing planetary
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Kocks Technik GmbH & Company
    Inventor: Helmut Holthoff
  • Patent number: 4297958
    Abstract: An input gear and a hook driving gear in mesh with the input gear in the gear train for the hook of a sewing machine are rendered self-adjusting by having the input gear drive the hook driving gear through a key which is movable in one direction on an input shaft and with respect to which the input gear is movable in a direction perpendicular to said one direction, and by having the hook driving gear drive the hook through shaft affixed collar permitting movement of the hook driving gear transversely relative to a bushing upon which such gear is rotatably mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Adams