Gear Type Patents (Class 74/498)
  • Patent number: 11958539
    Abstract: According to the present embodiments, noise can be reduced by compensating for clearance caused by the wear of a rack bar support member, assembly convenience can be improved by simplifying a structure, and an installation space can be easily ensured by reducing the overall size of a steering apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seongmoo Heo
  • Patent number: 11952033
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a steering device and a control method thereof, and the steering device includes a wheel housing in which an inner space is formed, a driving member disposed in the inner space and providing power by receiving power, a cable having one side connected to a driving shaft of the driving member and the other side fixed to the wheel housing at a position spaced apart from the driving member, and an idle roller provided at a position spaced apart from the driving member and rotating while supporting the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tae Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 11939004
    Abstract: A steering device includes: a housing; and a spring configured to urge the retainer toward the rack bar in the second axis direction, and the rack bar, the retainer, the spring, and the spring holding member being disposed in this order in the second axis direction; the retainer chamfering portion provided on the retainer second end portion near the spring holding member, on a retainer second end portion outer circumference portion, and the retainer chamfering portion formed at a portion which is nearest the spring holding member abutment surface in the retainer second end portion outer circumference portion in a section that passes through the second axis, and that is perpendicular to the first axis, when the retainer main body portion is inclined with respect to the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Okamoto, Yoshiaki Kido
  • Patent number: 11867273
    Abstract: A helical sector gear having a body and a gear segment having a plurality of helical teeth. The gear segment has a toothed sector, on which all of the helical teeth are formed, and spacing segments on the opposite circumferential ends of the toothed sector. Each of the spacing segments has a circumferential surface, which is longer than a pitch of the helical teeth, and a radial surface that is formed in a helical manner that conforms to the helix angle of helical teeth. A die set for forming the helical sector gear and a related method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Bankovic, Douglas Hanes, Martin J. Fannin
  • Patent number: 11808307
    Abstract: A prime mover includes a stator fixed to a housing, and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator. The prime mover outputs torque from the rotor by being supplied with electric power. A speed reducer reduces the torque of the prime mover and outputs the reduced torque. The speed reducer includes a sun gear to which the torque from the rotor is input, and a planetary gear that revolves in a circumferential direction of the sun gear while rotating in a state of meshing with the sun gear. The rotor and the sun gear are formed separately, and are disposed coaxially so as to be integrally rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akikazu Uchida, Takumi Sugiura, Akira Takagi
  • Patent number: 11787463
    Abstract: A steering apparatus and an all-terrain vehicle are provided. The steering apparatus comprises a housing provided with a circumferential movement limiting part; an input shaft disposed in the housing; an output shaft disposed in the housing and being in transmission coupling with the input shaft, wherein the output shaft is movable axially in an axial direction of the output shaft in the housing; and a circumferential movement limiting member disposed on the output shaft and being in fit with the circumferential movement limiting part for limiting circumferential movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SEGWAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhen Dong
  • Patent number: 11781605
    Abstract: A prime mover includes a stator fixed to a housing, and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator. The prime mover is capable of outputting torque from the rotor by being supplied with electric power. A speed reducer is capable of reducing the torque of the prime mover and outputting the reduced torque. The speed reducer includes a sun gear rotatable integrally with the rotor, and planetary gears capable of revolving in a circumferential direction of the sun gear while rotating in a state of meshing with the sun gear. A gear width of the sun gear is set such that a length in the axial direction by which the sun gear and the planetary gear are overlapped is smaller than a gear width of the planetary gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takumi Sugiura
  • Patent number: 11780488
    Abstract: A steering wheel arrangement includes a steering wheel rotatable about a rotation axis, a steering shaft, a stationary housing covering at least partially the steering shaft and supporting at least one accessory, a plurality of coupling elements adapted to couple the steering wheel to the steering shaft, such that rotation of the steering wheel causes rotation of the steering shaft. Each coupling element is integral in rotation with the steering shaft and slidably movable along an axial direction between an upper position and a lower position, and wherein each coupling element is detachably connected to the steering wheel, each coupling element being connected to the steering wheel in its upper position, such that rotation of the steering wheel causes rotation of the coupling element, and being disconnected from the steering wheel in its lower position, such that rotation of the steering wheel does not cause rotation of the coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rangegowda Punith, R. Sushma
  • Patent number: 11760413
    Abstract: The invention relates to an axle support, also referred to as a subframe, for a motor vehicle, having at least two longitudinal members, at least one cross member joining together the longitudinal members, at least two attachment points for attaching a steering gear housing to the axle support and a device for positioning the steering gear housing on the axle support prior to mounting of the steering gear housing on the axle support. In order for such an axle support to offer a cost-effective and rapid positioning of a steering gear housing, the device for positioning the steering gear housing according to the invention has at least two mounts, one mount of which being attached to one of the longitudinal members and/or the cross member and another mount of the mounts being attached to another of the longitudinal members and/or the cross member, wherein the respective mount has at least two indentations for receiving positioning protrusions provided on the steering gear housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Autotech Engineering Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Mario Krolo
  • Patent number: 11753067
    Abstract: Vehicle steering systems are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a first gear, a first pinion engaged with the first gear, a second pinion fixed to the first gear, a second gear engaged with the second pinion, and a third pinion fixed to the second gear, the third pinion to engage with a steering rack of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Washnock, Jack E. Barry, Soungjin Wou, Garry Robert Smith, Jennifer Laz, James Philip Cooper, Daniel Steven Payne, Rohit Kadam
  • Patent number: 11731685
    Abstract: A rack-and-pinion gear is described, which is suitable in particular for a steering system of a motor vehicle. In this a pinion is supported in a pinion housing and meshes with a rack inside this pinion housing. The rack here projects from the pinion housing through at least one housing aperture. A stop ring, which serves to limit a rack longitudinal movement and/or a tilting of the rack, is moreover held in the housing aperture by means of a press fit. In addition, a steering gear having such a rack-and-pinion gear and a steering system for a motor vehicle comprising such a steering gear are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Eduard Span, Timm Leuerer, Rolf von Laar, Sridharan Krishnan, Robert Kolloch
  • Patent number: 11697446
    Abstract: An adjustment drive for a motor-adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle includes a drive unit having a transmission in which there is mounted a drive wheel. The drive wheel can be driven to rotate about a drive axis and is in operative engagement with a transmission wheel which is mounted in the transmission so as to be rotatable about a transmission axis. The transmission has a drive module, which includes the drive wheel, and a transmission module, which includes the transmission wheel. The drive module and the transmission are connected to one another by a joining connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Arne Schacht, Sebastian Huber, Jean-Pierre Specht
  • Patent number: 11691661
    Abstract: A device for a steering system of a motor vehicle for pressing a toothed rack against a drive pinion is specified, the device having a housing and a thrust piece which is mounted displaceably in the housing and which has a circumferential wall which is in contact with the housing, the thrust piece having, on its circumferential wall, at least one depression which runs in a circumferential direction at least in certain portions and which delimits a hollow chamber arranged between thrust piece and housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Sridharan Krishnan, Robert Kolloch, Eduard Span
  • Patent number: 11643138
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a steering axle assembly. In one example, a system may include a tapered pin coupled to a steering knuckle and to an axle beam end. A set of bushings may circumferentially surround the tapered pin and enable rotation of the steering knuckle around the tapered pin without lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Juliano Pansonatto
  • Patent number: 11618494
    Abstract: A steering gearbox attachment structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure attaches and secures a steering gearbox to cross members positioned in the vehicle widthwise direction, and is equipped with support parts provided on the cross members, and a steering gearbox housing part which has contact parts. The first attachment surface of the first support part and the second attachment surface of the second support part form an angle which is greater than 90° and less than 180°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Daisuke Senoo, Kyouhei Katou
  • Patent number: 11613300
    Abstract: Disclosed is a steering apparatus including: a mounting housing which is formed on one side of a rack housing and has first threads formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof; a yoke body which is provided inside the mounting housing and supports a rack bar located inside the rack housing; and a pressing member which is provided inside the mounting housing, has second threads formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and is coupled to the mounting housing in a state in which the second threads are coupled to the first threads and are separated from the yoke body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang Wook Son
  • Patent number: 11396321
    Abstract: A steering device includes a rack shaft, a pair of tie rods, a rack housing portion, a pinion gear at one end of the rack housing portion, a first supporting portion to support the one end of the rack housing portion, and a second supporting portion to support the other end of the rack housing portion. The second supporting portion is movable in an axial direction of the rack housing portion from a proper position where the second supporting portion fixes the rack housing portion by being mounted on the vehicle body to an escaping position on the side of the pinion gear. The escaping position is a position where a distance from a tip of the tie rod on the other end of the rack housing portion to the second supporting portion is equal to or longer than twice the length of the tie rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventor: Soichiro Miyake
  • Patent number: 11345393
    Abstract: A rack and pinion steering assembly includes: a pinion shaft driving a pinion gear; a steering rack having a toothed, engageable portion adapted to engage with the pinion gear, and a pressure-receiving portion opposite the engageable portion to apply a force on the steering rack to engage the steering rack with the pinion gear; a rack and pinion housing and associated steering tube; a first support bushing to support the steering rack in its housing on a first side of the assembly; and a second support bushing effective to support the steering rack on a second side of the assembly, with the second side of the assembly being opposite the first side of the assembly, relative to the pinion gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Super ATV, LLC
    Inventor: Ken Thornton
  • Patent number: 11091191
    Abstract: A steering device includes a rack housing portion housing a rack shaft, a pinion gear provided on one end side of the rack housing portion, a first supporting portion provided on the rack housing portion to support the one end side of the rack housing portion, and a second supporting portion provided on the rack housing portion to support the other end side of the rack housing portion. The second supporting portion includes a first vehicle body mounting portion and a second vehicle body mounting portion provided to project outwardly of the rack housing portion, the first and second vehicle body mounting portions being mounted on a vehicle body. The first and second vehicle body mounting portions are arranged to be shifted in an axial direction of the rack housing portion so as not to overlap in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: KYB CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichiro Miyake, Yoshiyuki Tsukada
  • Patent number: 11091190
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to reduce the impact of production variability in a radius of curvature of a rear surface of a rack bar, for example, while enlarging a region of contact with the rack bar. A concave surface (330) is used as a rack guide seat (32) sliding surface (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: OILES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noboru Nakagawa, Hiroyuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 10899380
    Abstract: A steering assembly includes a steering member and an adjustment assembly. The steering member has a first side, a second side adjacent the first side, a third side adjacent the second side and disposed opposite the first side, and a fourth side adjacent the third side and disposed opposite the second side. The adjustment assembly includes a first adjustment member and a second adjustment member. The first adjustment member is arranged to apply a first biasing force to the first side and a second biasing force to the second side. The second adjustment member is arranged to engage the third side and the fourth side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Augustine
  • Patent number: 10759468
    Abstract: A power-steering device intended to be fitted on a vehicle-receiving structure, such as a cradle, the device including a rack as well as at least one actuator subassembly including at least one assistance motor, one drive gear, as well as one load-bearing structure that carries the assistance motor and is arranged to support and guide the drive gear and the rack relative to one another, the device further including one containment casing that is separate from the actuator subassembly and is fonned by connecting at least one base and one bell housing, which are attached to one another by a sealed joint such that the containment casing prevents the actuator subassembly from being exposed to water splashes, dust and salt spray from the outside environment when the power-steering device is in place on the receiving structure of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: JTEKT EUROPE
    Inventor: Laurent Rey
  • Patent number: 10717461
    Abstract: A steering apparatus includes a steered shaft; a rack housing; a ball screw nut; a bearing disposed between an inner peripheral surface of the rack housing and an outer peripheral surface of the ball screw nut, the bearing supporting the ball screw nut such that the ball screw nut is rotatable with respect to the rack housing; and a tubular rack boot covering an axial end portion of the rack housing. The rack housing includes a partition wall protruding radially inward from a cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the rack housing and separating a ball screw chamber housing the ball screw nut and an inner chamber of the rack boot. The partition wall has a through-hole through which the steered shaft extends, and a drain passage provided vertically below the through-hole and providing communication between the ball screw chamber and the inner chamber of the rack boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayoshi Asakura, Tatsuhiro Yamamoto, Masafumi Takahashi, Yoshiaki Asahara
  • Patent number: 9879504
    Abstract: An apparatus for routing and controlling pressure of hydraulic fluid to and from hydraulic actuator cylinders of oil and gas well blow-out preventers (BOP's), has rotary hydraulic flow control valve/actuator assemblies which use a pair of integral double-acting pneumatic actuator cylinders to drive a rack gear coupled to a spur gear located inside an actuator housing fixed to a valve rotor shaft that protrudes from the valve housing through an outer wall of the housing, and has a manually operable handle attached thereto, thus enabling multiple valve/actuator assemblies to be mounted side-by-side to an hydraulic manifold. The apparatus includes an adjustable pressure regulator which inputs hydraulic fluid at full and regulated pressure to the manifold, and a bypass valve which selectably inputs hydraulic fluid at full or regulated pressure to the flow control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: PacSeal Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Owen Beard, Frode Sveen
  • Patent number: 9610970
    Abstract: A steering gear mechanism has a steering housing and a steering input shaft. The steering housing is sealed and has a receptacle through which the steering input shaft passes into the steering housing. The receptacle is sealed against the steering input shaft. A first opening is provided on the steering input shaft within the steering housing, and a second opening is provided outside of the steering housing. The first and second openings are in fluid communication with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Jörg Merker, Christian Wutzler
  • Patent number: 9587454
    Abstract: A modular apparatus for controlling flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid to and from opening and closing hydraulic actuator cylinders of oil and gas well blow-out preventers (BOP's), utilizes novel rotary hydraulic valve/actuator assemblies, each of which uses a pair of integral double-acting pneumatic actuator cylinders that drive a rack gear coupled to a spur gear located inside the actuator housing which is fixed to a valve rotor shaft that protrudes forward from the valve housing and protrudes through an outer wall of the housing and has a manually operable handle attached thereto, thus enabling multiple valve/actuator assemblies to be mounted in a close side-by-side arrangement to an hydraulic manifold. An air control manifold panel for remotely energizing the pneumatic actuator cylinders includes opening and closing push button control valves on an air manifold connected through air hoses to the actuator cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: PacSeal Group, Inc. PacSeal
    Inventors: Joseph Owen Beard, Frode Sveen
  • Patent number: 9328815
    Abstract: A rack bar includes a shaft portion, a rack toothed portion provided on the shaft portion, and a dummy toothed portion. The rack toothed portion includes a plurality of rack teeth provided side by side in an axial direction of the shaft portion, each of the rack teeth including a contact face arranged obliquely relative to the axial direction to contact the pinion gear. The dummy toothed portion includes at least one dummy tooth provided on at least one side of the rack toothed portion in the axial direction such that the dummy tooth is arranged parallel to and next to the rack teeth. The dummy tooth is designed such that a whole height of the dummy tooth is smaller than a whole height of each of the rack teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: NETUREN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Nomura, Takashi Yamawaki, Ryosuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9296412
    Abstract: A steering yolk bearing assembly includes a body. The body can include a first end having a flat surface and a second end opposite the first end. The second end can have a concave surface having a radius of curvature, RCS, a first lateral side and a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side. A first bearing pad can extend from the first lateral side of the concave surface and a second bearing pad can extend from the second lateral side of the concave surface opposite the first bearing pad. Each bearing pad can include a shaft contact surface having a radius of curvature, RSCS, and RSCS?2×RCS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Nicholas Witting
  • Patent number: 9278707
    Abstract: A steering yoke is disclosed and includes a hollow cylindrical body that can be formed from a laminated sheet of metal and polymer. The hollow cylindrical body includes a substantially uniform wall thickness. Further, the hollow cylindrical body can include a first half, a second half, a seam extending at least partially along the body between the first half and the second half, an upper end having a surface, and a lower open end. The steering yoke can also include a bearing surface coupled to the surface of the upper end of the hollow cylindrical body and a spring perch disposed in the lower end of the hollow cylindrical body. The spring perch can include a spring pocket configured to support and retain a spring for supplying a biasing force to the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Witting, Joseph Liquore, Timothy J. Hagan
  • Patent number: 9272727
    Abstract: A steering system includes a rack shaft that extends in an axial direction so as to pass through a housing and including a first rack and a second rack on an outer circumference of the rack shaft. The first rack and second rack are separated from each other in the axial direction. The first pinion shaft includes a first pinion that has helical teeth and meshes with the first rack, and a second pinion shaft includes a second pinion that has helical teeth and meshes with the second rack. The first pinion shaft and the second pinion shaft are on the same side of the rack shaft. A rack bush is between the pinion shafts in the axial direction of the rack shaft, held by the housing so as to support the rack shaft slidably in the axial direction, and limits a movement of the rack shaft in a direction parallel to both of the pinion shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideo Kometani
  • Patent number: 9242711
    Abstract: A steering system for boats includes a control member of the steering wheel type, lever type or the like connected to a driving shaft of a transmission composed of at least two transmission elements dynamically engaged one with the other, of which one is an input and the other one an output elements. The output element drives a member transferring the motion of the control member to an operating unit, such that a movement/rotation of the control member is transmitted to the transfer member through such transmission. Moreover, at least the input element is produced from a material obtained by a sintering process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: ULTRAFLEX S.P.A
    Inventors: Giorgio Gai, Marco Campagna
  • Patent number: 9120501
    Abstract: A rack-and-pinion steering system and a method for producing the same including a pinion, a toothed rack, and a bearing point for the toothed rack, wherein the toothed rack includes a toothed first part and a non-toothed second part, wherein at least the first part and the pinion form a steering gear, and the steering gear is enclosed by a steering gear housing, and wherein the bearing point is enclosed by a bearing housing ensuring permanent lubrication. The second part of the toothed rack is exposed in at least one section between the steering gear housing and the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Janz, Paul Hein
  • Patent number: 8960046
    Abstract: A locking device for a vehicle steering system, having a steering gear, a servomotor which is adapted to provide a steering assist force, a blocking ring which is assigned to a motor shaft of the servomotor, and a locking member which is adapted to engage in the blocking ring to block rotation of the motor shaft of the servomotor and thereby to lock the steering gear, further provision being made for an actuating member having the locking member adjustably mounted thereon, and the actuating member being adjustable by a drive motor between a blocking position and a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Engel
  • Publication number: 20150040715
    Abstract: A steering system for a motor vehicle is provided. The system comprises an articulated bearing and a shaft configured to be fixed to the articulated bearing. The articulated bearing comprises a clevis a mating clevis pivotally connected to the clevis. The clevis has a foot arranged substantially transversely to a longitudinal axis of the clevis, and two arms connected to the foot and substantially extending opposite one another along the longitudinal axis. The foot includes a longitudinal opening having a cross-sectional contour for receiving the shaft. At least one end of the shaft has an external contour complementary to the cross-sectional contour, wherein the cross-sectional contour of the longitudinal opening and the external contour of the shaft are formed to permit the shaft to be received in the longitudinal opening in one single rotational position about the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Birger ASSMANN, Andre WILMSEN
  • Publication number: 20140360311
    Abstract: In a steering device, the transmission ratio variable mechanism changes a transmission ratio. The transmission ratio is a ratio of the turning angle of a wheel to the steering angle of a steering wheel. In the stationary-steering mode, the ECU sets a low transmission-ratio state where the transmission ratio is reduced compared with the transmission ratio in an ordinary mode when the steering wheel is increasingly steered while setting a zero-transmission-ratio state where coupling between the steering wheel and the wheel is released to set the transmission ratio to zero when the steering wheel is returned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuaki Tsurumi
  • Patent number: 8733202
    Abstract: An adjustment assembly and adjustable steering column including a linearly slidable actuating lever are provided. The actuating lever is slidable between a first position and a second position along a linear travel path. The actuating lever includes an engaging portion which engages a gear assembly. The gear assembly is connected to a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism is configured to apply or release a clamping force on a steering column or other component. Movement of the actuating lever between the first and second positions causes rotation of the gear assembly. Rotation of the gear assembly causes the clamping mechanism to apply or release the clamping force, depending on the direction of rotation. The adjustment assembly also includes a rake bracket to support a compression bracket. The compression bracket supports the component or steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin M. Burns, Melvin L. Tinnin, John Schulz, Michael P. Anspaugh
  • Patent number: 8712621
    Abstract: A vehicle having a power supply apparatus which is configured to supply an electric power to an external apparatus outside the vehicle, includes: a detecting unit which is configured to detect a state where a cable is pinched between an opening and closing member of the vehicle and an opening edge of an opening for the opening and closing member, the cable connecting the power supply apparatus to the external apparatus and being arranged in an interior of the vehicle; and an inhibiting unit which, when the detecting unit detects that the cable is pinched between the opening and closing member and the opening edge, is configured to inhibit running of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Saito, Hiroyasu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8708357
    Abstract: A pinion shaft of a steering system has a plurality of pinion teeth. A rack shaft has a stroke region in which a plurality of rack teeth that mesh with the pinion teeth is formed. The stroke region includes a center region that includes a center position of the stroke region, end regions, each of which includes an end position of the stroke region, and intermediate regions, each of which is located between the center region and one of the end regions. A pressure angle of each rack tooth included in each of the intermediate regions is smaller than a pressure angle of each rack tooth included in each of the center region and the end regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Sumihara
  • Patent number: 8473160
    Abstract: A steering operation force detection device for a steering wheel including a steering wheel rim having a right-side rim section and a left-side rim section. The device includes load cells that detect six component forces of the steering operation force acting on the right-side rim section and the left-side rim section consisting of forces in three axial directions and moments about three axes. The device includes a steering angle detection sensor that detects a steering angle of the steering wheel, and an inertial force component correcting unit that derives an inertial force component acting on the right-side rim section and the left-side rim section due to rotation of the steering wheel, based on an amount of displacement of the steering angle detected by the steering angle detection sensor, and that corrects the component force detected by the load cells to eliminate an effect of the derived inertial force component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Kuramori
  • Patent number: 8376379
    Abstract: A steering apparatus for a vehicle may include a steering pinion rotated by operation of a steering wheel, and a steering rack bar having a rack engaged with the steering pinion to move straight in a longitudinal direction thereof, wherein a tooth gap in a gear of the rack changes such that a steering gear ratio corresponding to a linear displacement of the steering rack bar according to rotation of the steering pinion increases and then decreases in both sections from the center of the rack to both ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kisung Park, Seil Kim, Youngho Oh, Soobo Park
  • Patent number: 8307939
    Abstract: Disclosed is a steering gear for a power steering system of a vehicle, comprising a component that is mounted axially displaceably in a housing of the steering gear, a tie rod fixed in an articulated manner on at least one axial end of the component by way of a joint, wherein a rotational center of the joint is disposed on a radially directed adapter part laterally offset with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the axially displaceable component, and the adapter part is fixed to the axially displaceable component by way of a shaft-hub connection, which is fastened on the axial end of the axially displaceable component using a nut on an external thread so as to provide a steering gear that has a high-strength, play-free connection between the axially displaceable component thereof and the adapter part, and which is easy to produce, the shaft-hub connection being formed by a play-free, conical serrated connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Hauck, Helmut Bareis, Wilfried Doster
  • Publication number: 20120240712
    Abstract: A rack-and-pinion steering system and a method for producing the same including a pinion, a toothed rack, and a bearing point for the toothed rack, wherein the toothed rack includes a toothed first part and a non-toothed second part, wherein at least the first part and the pinion form a steering gear, and the steering gear is enclosed by a steering gear housing, and wherein the bearing point is enclosed by a bearing housing ensuring permanent lubrication. The second part of the toothed rack is exposed in at least one section between the steering gear housing and the bearing housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd JANZ, Paul HEIN
  • Patent number: 8096208
    Abstract: A positioning apparatus for a shift control device for a bicycle transmission comprises a movable member having a positioning element, a positioning member having a positioning element structured to engage the positioning element of the movable member, and a biasing member that biases the positioning member towards an engaged position wherein the positioning element of the positioning member engages the positioning element of the movable member. The positioning member moves toward and away from a plane of movement of the movable member. A releasing member is disposed between the movable member and the positioning member, wherein the releasing member moves between an initial position and an operating position. The releasing member allows the positioning member to be in the engaged position when the releasing member is in the initial position, and the positioning member moves to the disengaged position when the releasing member moves to the operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Shimano (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Yau Yong Sean
  • Patent number: 7841606
    Abstract: A motor vehicle wherein the steering includes: a steering bar including a rack steering component and a steered component fitted in a sliding manner; a rack housing passed through by the steering component and including a plate displaying a correction sliding rail receiving a roller; two correction arms; assembly elements of the rack housing suitable for allowing pivoting of the rack housing in a steering plane, around an attachment axis obliged to move in a direction contained in the steering plane and in a longitudinal plane of the chassis; a telescopic steering column; two steering gears connecting the steering component and the steered component to the stub pivot arms of the front guiding wheels. The correction slide rail follows a suitable curve such that the vehicle wheel stubs extend along directions that intersect, at each time, at the same point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: André Rey
  • Patent number: 7815204
    Abstract: A rack-and-pinion type steering apparatus 1 includes a housing 3 having a cylindrical holding hole 2 in its interior; a pinion 6 which is disposed in the housing 3 rotatably in a direction R about an axis O by means of bearings 4 and 5; a rack bar 8 which has rack teeth 7 meshing with the pinion 6 and is movable in a direction A; a rack guide 9 which is disposed in the holding hole 2 within the housing 3 movably in a direction C, and which guides and supports the rack bar 8 movably in the direction A; and a coil spring 10 for resiliently pressing the rack teeth 7 of the rack bar 8 against the pinion 6 by means of the rack guide 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Oiles Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kaida, Koichi Inagaki
  • Patent number: 7743681
    Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle includes a support bracket and a column jacket coupled to the support bracket. A compression bracket is mounted to the column jacket. A clamping device is disposed on the support bracket and has a rake bolt extending through the support bracket and the compression bracket for applying a frictional force on the support bracket to prevent telescoping and tilting movement of the column jacket and the compression bracket relative to the support bracket. An actuation mechanism is coupled to the support bracket. The actuation mechanism rotates the rake bolt in a first direction to prevent telescoping and tilting movement of the column jacket. Likewise, the actuation mechanism rotates the rake bolt in a second direction to permit telescoping movement of the column jacket and the compression bracket relative to the actuation mechanism and the support bracket and tilting movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin V. Manwaring, Ravi Ravindra, Amelia M. Lask, Melvin L. Tinnin
  • Patent number: 7677131
    Abstract: A steering-wheel arrangement is disclosed which comprises a steering-wheel having a first gear element. A second gear element is provided which is mounted on a steering column. The first and second gear elements inter-engage one another and the arrangement is further provided with an anti-backlash gear which is mounted on one of the gear elements. The anti-backlash gear has teeth configures to as to align substantially with the teeth of the gear element upon which it is mounted, and the anti-backlash gear is biased relative to the gear element upon which it is mounted towards a position in which the teeth of the anti-backlash gear become displaced from the corresponding teeth of the gear element. This gear arrangement has been found to provide improved “feel” for a person driving a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Etienne Chapelain, Laurent Groleau
  • Patent number: 7673898
    Abstract: A device is provided for mounting a module carrier on a rotatable steering wheel of a motor vehicle in such a manner that the angular position of the module carrier remains constant during a rotation of the steering wheel, with a first toothed ring connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the module carrier, a lever, which is mounted on the steering wheel via a bearing section in a manner such that it can pivot to and fro between two positions, a first toothed wheel, which is mounted rotatably on a first arm of the lever and meshes with the first toothed ring in a first position of the lever, and elastic means for pressing the first toothed wheel elastically against the first toothed ring so that rotation of the steering wheel in one direction causes a rotation of the module carrier in the opposite direction. For actuating the lever, the lever has a second arm which is connected via the bearing section to the first arm of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lube, Andreas Pradel
  • Publication number: 20090229400
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a mounting bracket and a column jacket moveable relative to the mounting bracket to adjust a position of the column jacket. A rake plate is pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket and defines a rake slot having rake slot teeth. A telescope plate is pivotably coupled to the column jacket and defines a telescope slot having telescope slot teeth. A rake lock having rake lock teeth is disposed within the rake slot and a telescope lock having telescope lock teeth is disposed within the telescope slot. The rake plate and the telescope plate pivot as the rake lock and the telescope lock move into interlocking toothed engagement to avoid peak-to-peak contact between the lock teeth and the slot teeth, thereby permitting full meshing engagement between the lock teeth and the slot teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Suat A. Ozsoylu, Karen A. Boswell, Michael P. Anspaugh, Michael R. Pyrett
  • Publication number: 20090152840
    Abstract: A steering system includes a steering column and a steering wheel gear that are offset from each other so that the torque of steering wheel is transmitted to steering column. An airbag module received in a steering wheel hub of steering wheel is independently mounted such that it is not rotated together with steering wheel by using an offset torque transmission structure interconnecting the steering wheel and steering column. Such configuration allows deployment of a cushion having an asymmetrical optimum shape configured to avoid contacting the chest of a passenger. As the airbag module is not rotated, it is possible to significantly improve the design visibility of a logo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyeongho CHOI