Patents by Inventor Jeffrey E. Beyerlein
Jeffrey E. Beyerlein 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).
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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
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Publication number: 20190100233Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention an eccentric adjuster assembly is provided. The eccentric adjuster assembly includes a housing, an eccentric adjuster, an axial retainer, and an eccentric adjuster retainer configured to retain the eccentric adjuster relative to the housing, the eccentric adjuster having an eccentric adjuster radial position and an eccentric adjuster axial position. The eccentric adjuster retainer includes a retainer body having an inner perimeter with a cavity disposed therein and an outer perimeter, the eccentric adjuster extending through the cavity and at least a portion of the outer perimeter engaging the housing to retain the eccentric adjuster radial position relative to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2018Publication date: April 4, 2019Inventors: William D. Cymbal, Patrick D. McCall, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Jason T. Rutkiewicz
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Patent number: 10160479Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention an eccentric adjuster assembly is provided. The eccentric adjuster assembly includes a housing, an eccentric adjuster, an axial retainer, and an eccentric adjuster retainer configured to retain the eccentric adjuster relative to the housing, the eccentric adjuster having an eccentric adjuster radial position and an eccentric adjuster axial position. The eccentric adjuster retainer includes a retainer body having an inner perimeter with a cavity disposed therein and an outer perimeter, the eccentric adjuster extending through the cavity and at least a portion of the outer perimeter engaging the housing to retain the eccentric adjuster radial position relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: William D. Cymbal, Patrick D. McCall, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Jason T. Rutkiewicz
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Publication number: 20180346014Abstract: A redundant gear assembly for a vehicle steering column includes a gear operatively coupled to a steering column component. Also included is a first and second set of gear teeth on the gear. Yet further included is a first motor driving a first gear input component, the first gear input component in meshed engagement with the first set of gear teeth to provide a first steering assist torque that is representative of a desired steering assist torque in a primary operating mode of the redundant gear assembly. Also included is a second motor driving a second gear input component, the second gear input component in meshed engagement with the second set of gear teeth to provide a second steering assist torque in a redundant operating mode of the redundant gear assembly, the second motor not driving the second gear input component in the primary operating mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Jason T. Rutkiewicz, Niklaus A. von Matt
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Patent number: 10018264Abstract: A gear includes a gear body and a first gear tooth. The gear body extends radially between an outer portion and an inner portion. The first gear tooth has a first tooth portion, a second tooth portion, and a first slot. The first tooth portion extends radially from the outer portion towards a first land. The second tooth portion is circumferentially spaced apart from the first tooth portion and extends radially from the outer portion towards a second land. The first slot is defined between the first tooth portion and the second tooth portion and extends from at least one of the first land and the second land towards a first slot root.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Adam W. Lee, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Jason T. Rutkiewicz, Keith A. Kidder, Niklaus A. von Matt
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Publication number: 20180142772Abstract: A gear includes a gear body and a first gear tooth. The gear body extends radially between an outer portion and an inner portion. The first gear tooth has a first tooth portion, a second tooth portion, and a first slot. The first tooth portion extends radially from the outer portion towards a first land. The second tooth portion is circumferentially spaced apart from the first tooth portion and extends radially from the outer portion towards a second land. The first slot is defined between the first tooth portion and the second tooth portion and extends from at least one of the first land and the second land towards a first slot root.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventors: Adam W. Lee, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Jason T. Rutkiewicz, Keith A. Kidder, Niklaus A. von Matt
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Publication number: 20180142773Abstract: A gear assembly includes a first gear and a second gear. The first gear rotates about a first axis, and includes a first plurality of teeth and a first surface extending circumferentially and carried by the first plurality of teeth. The first surface is electrically conductive. The second gear rotates about a second axis and is operably connected to the first gear. The second gear includes an electrically conductive element, a second plurality of teeth, and a second surface extending circumferentially and carried by the second plurality of teeth. The second surface is electrically nonconductive. The electrically conductive element includes a plurality of feelers with each feeler projecting radially outward and into a respective tooth of the second plurality of teeth.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2017Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventors: Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Jason T. Rutkiewicz, Niklaus A. von Matt
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Publication number: 20180105197Abstract: A method of making a worm gear. The method includes forming a gear blank having a plurality of individual lugs formed about an outer circumferential edge of said blank to facilitate a uniform flow of a material around said plurality of individual lugs. The method also includes molding said material around said plurality of individual lugs to form a ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Alan G. Turek, Jesse A. Heather
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Patent number: 9759304Abstract: A method of making a worm gear is provided. The method comprises forming a gear hub from a powdered metal material. Thereafter an outer surface of the gear hub is sealed.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Alan G. Turek, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Niklaus A. Von Matt
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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
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Patent number: 9664273Abstract: A power-assisted steering system includes an intermediate housing, a motor cone housing coupled to the intermediate housing, and a control shaft arranged along a control shaft axis for rotation about the control shaft axis. The system further includes an assist drive shaft arranged in a plane that is substantially transverse to the control shaft axis, the assist drive shaft being supported relative to the vehicle structure by a first bearing assembly and a second bearing assembly and defining a drive shaft axis, a worm disposed about the assist drive shaft, and a worm gear coupled to the control shaft. The worm gear and control shaft are configured for rotation about the control shaft axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Nicholas J. Mehl, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Jason T. Rutkiewicz
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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
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Publication number: 20170008553Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention an eccentric adjuster assembly is provided. The eccentric adjuster assembly includes a housing, an eccentric adjuster, an axial retainer, and an eccentric adjuster retainer configured to retain the eccentric adjuster relative to the housing, the eccentric adjuster having an eccentric adjuster radial position and an eccentric adjuster axial position. The eccentric adjuster retainer includes a retainer body having an inner perimeter with a cavity disposed therein and an outer perimeter, the eccentric adjuster extending through the cavity and at least a portion of the outer perimeter engaging the housing to retain the eccentric adjuster radial position relative to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2015Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: William D. Cymbal, Patrick D. McCall, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Jason T. Rutkiewicz
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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
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Publication number: 20160215865Abstract: A method of making a worm gear is provided. The method comprises forming a gear hub from a powdered metal material. Thereafter an outer surface of the gear hub is sealed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2015Publication date: July 28, 2016Applicant: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Alan G. Turek, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Niklaus A. Von Matt
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Publication number: 20150197277Abstract: A power-assisted steering system includes an intermediate housing, a motor cone housing coupled to the intermediate housing, and a control shaft arranged along a control shaft axis for rotation about the control shaft axis. The system further includes an assist drive shaft arranged in a plane that is substantially transverse to the control shaft axis, the assist drive shaft being supported relative to the vehicle structure by a first bearing assembly and a second bearing assembly and defining a drive shaft axis, a worm disposed about the assist drive shaft, and a worm gear coupled to the control shaft. The worm gear and control shaft are configured for rotation about the control shaft axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Nicholas J. Mehl, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Jason T. Rutkiewicz
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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