Patents by Inventor Daniel J. Diffin
Daniel J. Diffin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 11391346Abstract: A bearing adjustment assembly is provided. The assembly includes a worm engaged with a worm gear. The assembly also includes a worm bearing located proximate an end of the worm. The assembly further includes a spring disposed in a spring bore defined by the housing. The assembly yet further includes a compensation mechanism engaging the worm bearing and the spring, the compensation mechanism being adjustable to bias the worm bearing to maintain or adjust a gear mesh load between the worm gear and the worm, wherein compression of the spring adjusts the compensation mechanism biasing of the worm bearing. The assembly also includes a spring retainer comprising a pin retainer portion disposed within an interior of the spring, the pin retainer portion extending from a main body portion of the spring retainer.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventor: Daniel J. Diffin
-
Patent number: 11292514Abstract: A method of manufacturing a torsion bar for a steering system is provided. The method includes supporting a torsion bar blank on a cold forming machine with a plurality of dies at a first end region of the torsion bar blank and a second end region of the torsion bar blank. The method also includes rolling the torsion bar blank to form an end region having a cylindrical outer surface extending from an axial end surface and a serrated portion disposed proximate the end region and axially offset from the axial end surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Daniel J. Diffin, David E. King, Mark A. Wolfer, Christopher L. Walsh
-
Patent number: 11143284Abstract: A power steering assembly is provided. The power steering assembly may include a housing, a first bearing, a second bearing, a worm, and a worm gear. The first bearing is disposed within the housing and defines a first central axis. The second bearing is disposed within the housing and defines a second central axis offset from the first central axis. The first bearing and the second bearing are arranged with the housing such that the second bearing is movable to align the first central axis with the second central axis responsive to a load applied to the second bearing.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2019Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Daniel J. Diffin, Ryan D. Harris, Joshua D. Mullins, William J. Logan
-
Patent number: 11084522Abstract: A steering assembly including a motor assembly, a worm assembly, and a coupler assembly is provided. The worm assembly includes a worm member defining a central axis and having first and second ends. The coupler assembly may include an adapter having a first wall defining a through-hole sized to receive a portion of the first end therein. The coupler assembly may operatively connect the motor assembly and the worm assembly. The worm member and the adapter may be arranged with one another such that pressing a swedge tool against a face of the worm member in a direction substantially parallel with the central axis deforms the first end to overlap a portion of the worm member onto a portion of the adapter adjacent the through-hole to secure the worm member and adapter to one another and to axially retain the worm member in a position relative to the central axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Daniel J. Diffin, Matthew T. Strickler, Jeremy E. Reisig
-
Patent number: 11073204Abstract: A bearing adjustment assembly includes a worm engaged with a worm gear. The assembly also includes a worm bearing located proximate an end of the worm. The assembly further includes a compensation mechanism engaging the worm bearing, the compensation mechanism being adjustable to bias the worm bearing to maintain or adjust a gear mesh load between the worm gear and the worm.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2019Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Daniel J. Diffin, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Jason T. Rutkiewicz
-
Publication number: 20210131554Abstract: A bearing adjustment assembly includes a worm engaged with a worm gear. The assembly also includes a worm bearing located proximate an end of the worm. The assembly further includes a compensation mechanism engaging the worm bearing, the compensation mechanism being adjustable to bias the worm bearing to maintain or adjust a gear mesh load between the worm gear and the worm.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2021Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Daniel J. Diffin, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Jason T. Rutkiewicz
-
Publication number: 20210116003Abstract: A bearing adjustment assembly is provided. The assembly includes a worm engaged with a worm gear. The assembly also includes a worm bearing located proximate an end of the worm. The assembly further includes a spring disposed in a spring bore defined by the housing. The assembly yet further includes a compensation mechanism engaging the worm bearing and the spring, the compensation mechanism being adjustable to bias the worm bearing to maintain or adjust a gear mesh load between the worm gear and the worm, wherein compression of the spring adjusts the compensation mechanism biasing of the worm bearing. The assembly also includes a spring retainer comprising a pin retainer portion disposed within an interior of the spring, the pin retainer portion extending from a main body portion of the spring retainer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventor: Daniel J. Diffin
-
Publication number: 20200339190Abstract: A method of manufacturing a torsion bar for a steering system is provided. The method includes supporting a torsion bar blank on a cold forming machine with a plurality of dies at a first end region of the torsion bar blank and a second end region of the torsion bar blank. The method also includes rolling the torsion bar blank to form an end region having a cylindrical outer surface extending from an axial end surface and a serrated portion disposed proximate the end region and axially offset from the axial end surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Daniel J. Diffin, David E. King, Mark A. Wolfer, Christopher L. Walsh
-
Publication number: 20200283057Abstract: A steering assembly including a motor assembly, a worm assembly, and a coupler assembly is provided. The worm assembly includes a worm member defining a central axis and having first and second ends. The coupler assembly may include an adapter having a first wall defining a through-hole sized to receive a portion of the first end therein. The coupler assembly may operatively connect the motor assembly and the worm assembly. The worm member and the adapter may be arranged with one another such that pressing a swedge tool against a face of the worm member in a direction substantially parallel with the central axis deforms the first end to overlap a portion of the worm member onto a portion of the adapter adjacent the through-hole to secure the worm member and adapter to one another and to axially retain the worm member in a position relative to the central axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2019Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Daniel J. Diffin, Matthew T. Strickler, Jeremy E. Reisig
-
Publication number: 20190277385Abstract: A power steering assembly is provided. The power steering assembly may include a housing, a first bearing, a second bearing, a worm, and a worm gear. The first bearing is disposed within the housing and defines a first central axis. The second bearing is disposed within the housing and defines a second central axis offset from the first central axis. The first bearing and the second bearing are arranged with the housing such that the second bearing is movable to align the first central axis with the second central axis responsive to a load applied to the second bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Daniel J. Diffin, Ryan D. Harris, Joshua D. Mullins, William J. Logan
-
Publication number: 20190234511Abstract: A bearing adjustment assembly includes a worm engaged with a worm gear. The assembly also includes a worm bearing located proximate an end of the worm. The assembly further includes a compensation mechanism engaging the worm bearing, the compensation mechanism being adjustable to bias the worm bearing to maintain or adjust a gear mesh load between the worm gear and the worm.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Daniel J. Diffin, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Jason T. Rutkiewicz
-
Publication number: 20180118259Abstract: A torsion bar for a steering system includes a main body. Also included is an end region having a cylindrical outer surface extending from an axial end surface. Further included is a serrated portion disposed proximate the end region and axially offset from the axial end surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Daniel J. Diffin, David E. King, Mark A. Wolfer, Christopher L. Walsh
-
Patent number: 9739361Abstract: A vehicle steering column assembly includes a first shaft having a first shaft cavity extending from an end of the first shaft. Also included is a second shaft operatively coupled to the first shaft, the second shaft having a second shaft cavity disposed therein. Further included is a torsion bar disposed within the first shaft cavity and the second shaft cavity. Yet further included is a stop tooth extending from the first shaft. Also included is a worm gear defining a slot with a slot wall, a first portion of the slot wall configured to engage a first side of the stop tooth to define a first radial boundary of the worm gear, a second portion of the slot wall configured to engage a second side of the stop tooth to define a second radial boundary of the worm gear.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: William D. Cymbal, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Joel A. Bickel, Daniel J. Diffin, Alan G. Turek
-
Publication number: 20170089442Abstract: A vehicle steering column assembly includes a first shaft having a first shaft cavity extending from an end of the first shaft. Also included is a second shaft operatively coupled to the first shaft, the second shaft having a second shaft cavity disposed therein. Further included is a torsion bar disposed within the first shaft cavity and the second shaft cavity. Yet further included is a stop tooth extending from the first shaft. Also included is a worm gear defining a slot with a slot wall, a first portion of the slot wall configured to engage a first side of the stop tooth to define a first radial boundary of the worm gear, a second portion of the slot wall configured to engage a second side of the stop tooth to define a second radial boundary of the worm gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: William D. Cymbal, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Joel A. Bickel, Daniel J. Diffin, Alan G. Turek
-
Patent number: 9533701Abstract: A power-assisted steering system includes a control shaft arranged along a control shaft axis. An assist drive shaft defines a drive shaft axis and is arranged in a plane that is substantially transverse to the control shaft axis. The assist drive shaft is supported relative to the vehicle structure by a first bearing assembly and a second bearing assembly. A worm is disposed about the assist drive shaft. A worm gear is coupled to the control shaft, and the worm gear and control shaft are configured for rotation about the control shaft axis. The worm gear is configured for engaging the worm such that rotation of the worm and the assist drive shaft about the drive shaft axis causes rotation of the worm gear and the control shaft about the control shaft axis. The first bearing assembly is configured as an eccentric bearing assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2012Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: William D. Cymbal, Niklaus A. vonMatt, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, John M. Andres, Jason T. Rutkiewicz, Daniel J. Diffin, Kevin C. Ross
-
Publication number: 20140041957Abstract: A power-assisted steering system includes a control shaft arranged along a control shaft axis. An assist drive shaft defines a drive shaft axis and is arranged in a plane that is substantially transverse to the control shaft axis. The assist drive shaft is supported relative to the vehicle structure by a first bearing assembly and a second bearing assembly. A worm is disposed about the assist drive shaft. A worm gear is coupled to the control shaft, and the worm gear and control shaft are configured for rotation about the control shaft axis. The worm gear is configured for engaging the worm such that rotation of the worm and the assist drive shaft about the drive shaft axis causes rotation of the worm gear and the control shaft about the control shaft axis. The first bearing assembly is configured as an eccentric bearing assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: William D. Cymbal, Niklaus A. vonMatt, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, John M. Andres, Jason T. Rutkiewicz, Daniel J. Diffin, Kevin C. Ross
-
Patent number: 8182349Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a first coupling end operably connectable to a first shaft and a second coupling end operably connectable to a second shaft. A coupling body of a plastic material is located between and operably connected to the first coupling end and to the second coupling end. The coupling body includes at least one spring segment allowing relative motion between the first coupling end and the second coupling end along a coupling assembly axis. Also disclosed is a vehicle steering system utilizing the coupling assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Kevin C. Ross, Steve B. Al-Rawi, Daniel J. Diffin
-
Publication number: 20090294200Abstract: Disclosed is a coupling assembly including a first coupling end operably connectable to a first shaft and a second coupling end operably connectable to a second shaft. A coupling body of a plastic material is located between and operably connected to the first coupling end and to the second coupling end. The coupling body includes at least one spring segment allowing relative motion between the first coupling end and the second coupling end along a coupling assembly axis. Also disclosed is a vehicle steering system utilizing the coupling assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2008Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: Delphi Technologies Inc.Inventors: Kevin C. Ross, Steve B. Al-Rawi, Daniel J. Diffin