Rack And Pinion Patents (Class 74/422)
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Patent number: 7828110Abstract: A steering device for steering front wheels of a four-wheeled vehicle is disclosed, comprising a steering wheel, a steering column, a lower column, and a steering gear box. The lower column is coupled via universal joints to the steering column and the steering gear box. The steering gear box includes a housing in which a rack and a screw rod are accommodated. The rack has an end coupled via a spherical joint to a tie rod, which is jointed to the front wheel. The spherical joint includes an anti-loosening washer. The housing has an inside surface forming a step over which a sleeve is fit for being engageable with the anti-loosening washer of the spherical joint to form a constraint to an inward travel of the spherical joint of the tie rod into the housing so as to set a constraint to steering angle of the front wheel.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2007Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chien-Neng Shao, Yen-Hsiu Lee
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Patent number: 7815204Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Oiles CorporationInventors: Hidetoshi Kaida, Koichi Inagaki
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Patent number: 7784804Abstract: A steering gear for a rack and pinion steering system, including a housing in which a steering rack is guided for displacement along its axis, has an auxiliary support which is located at an axial end of the housing, the auxiliary support limiting a bending of the steering rack.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbHInventors: Eduard Span, Markus Beiss, Thomas Klein
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Patent number: 7780162Abstract: Rack gears of far-side paper guides are provided such that manners of meshing with pinion gears are made tighter at respective regions corresponding to locations for constraining paper of standard size, as compared to other regions. In addition, by constituting width guide plates which are upstream in a paper feed directions from far-side paper guides and width guide plates which are downstream in a paper feed directions therefrom such that respective areas of surfaces receiving paper, and respective distances from respective width guide plates to gear mesh locations, are respectively set so as to be substantially mutually equal. Impacts from stacks of paper produced during placement of paper within a paper supply apparatus may be received substantially equal at upstream and downstream from gear mesh of far-side paper guides, and torques acting on far-side paper guides upstream and downstream from gear mesh locations may be made substantially mutually equal.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2004Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hidetoshi Kaneko, Toshihiko Seike, Masatsugu Ohishi, Kengo Matsuyama
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Patent number: 7780176Abstract: A center take-off rack-and-pinion steering apparatus includes a cylindrical rack housing having an elongate hole extending in a longitudinal direction, a mounting bracket for mounting ends of a pair of tie rods on a rack shaft, and a slider interposed between the mounting bracket and the rack shaft and slidable in an inner periphery of the elongate hole. The inner periphery of the elongate hole and the slider include sliding contact sections that are brought into sliding contact with each other along with the slide of the slider slides. The sliding contact sections include at least a pair of curved sliding contact surfaces that are brought into sliding contact with each other in a curved shape when seen in an axial direction of the rack shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2008Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: JTEKT CorporationInventors: Yoshihide Ohara, Masahiko Hirose, Masaaki Hashimoto, Mutsumi Watanabe, Takahiro Tanaka
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Patent number: 7775135Abstract: A steering mechanism is provided, including a rack, a rotatable support member, and an automatically-adjustable support member. The rack includes a rack gear portion and the pinion includes a pinion gear portion coupled with the rack gear portion. The rotatable support member is positioned with respect to the rack or the pinion such that rotation of the rotatable support member adjusts an overlap distance between the rack gear portion and the pinion gear portion. The automatically-adjustable support member automatically urges together the rack and the pinion along an urging direction. The urging direction remains substantially constant throughout the rotation of the rotatable support member within a desired angular range.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael J. Gabel, Michael J. Kostrzewa
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Publication number: 20100193290Abstract: The compact scissors lift includes a chassis having a body, a pair of wheels disposed at one end and a pair of steering wheels at the opposite end; a lifting linkset assembly disposed substantially within the base, the linkset assembly shaped to form space for the steering wheels; a steering system operatively connected to the steering wheels in front of the linkset assembly; and a deployable safety guard mechanism. on at least one side of the chassis. Having the linkset assembly within the chassis body reduces the overall stow height of the lift to thereby increase access to work areas, decrease physical expenditure on the user, increase stable steering and increase safe operation on potentially hazardous terrain.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventor: Kan Cui
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Publication number: 20100175491Abstract: In a center-takeoff-type steering apparatus for a vehicle, radiant heat from a heat source such as an engine is shut off reliably. The bracket is fixed to a central portion of a rack bar for unitary movement, the rack bar moving in the lateral direction in accordance with a steering operation of a steering wheel. Ball joint mechanisms are assembled to the bracket. The ball joint mechanisms rotatably support the inboard ends of the tie rods, swing tie rods in accordance with the movement of the rack bar to thereby steer the left and right front wheels. The heat insulator is integrally formed to have an upper plate portion and a lower plate portion facing each other, and fixed to the bracket so as to cover the ball joint mechanisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2008Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Masaki Fujimoto
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Publication number: 20100162843Abstract: To sufficiently secure the width dimension, strength and rigidity of the rack teeth 10, and to realize the light weight construction and the manufacturing method of the rack 8, the rack teeth 10 is formed by plastic working on one side surface in the radial direction of part in the axial direction of a rod unit 9 having a circular cross-sectional shape, and the curvature radius of the portion which is separated in the radial direction from the portion where the rack teeth 10 is formed, is made greater than that of the cross sectional shape of the outer surface of the axial remaining portion of the rod unit 9.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: NSK LTD.Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Yuki Mizushima, Kotaro Hirota, Akira Tsubouchi
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Patent number: 7739793Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rack guide base body wherein a cavity (40) is formed which has a pair of semicylindrical convex surfaces (44a and 44b) and a pair of flat surfaces (45) each located between the semicylindrical convex surfaces (44a and 44b), and has a recessed surface (41) located on one axial end portion side inwardly of the semicylindrical convex surfaces (44a and 44b) and the flat surfaces (45) and a cylindrical surface (42) located on the other axial end portion side inwardly of the semicylindrical convex surfaces (44a and 44b) and the flat surfaces (45); a hollow portion (9c) is formed for allowing the cavity (40) to communicate with a hollow portion (10c) at one flat surface (45) and with a hollow portion (8c) at the other flat surface (45); a rack guide base body (50) is die cast by forcing molten metal of aluminum from the hollow portion (10c) into the cavity (40); and runners (56) integrally joined to flat surfaces (55) of the rack guide base body (50) formed by the respective flat surfacesType: GrantFiled: April 26, 2005Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignees: JTekt Corporation, Oiles CorporationInventors: Kazuhiro Yamamoto, Masao Shimura, Yoshiro Kuzumi, Masahiko Hirose, Masaaki Hashimoto, Takahiro Tanaka, Katsutoshi Nishimura
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Patent number: 7721617Abstract: A method of heat-treating a rack bar includes a step of continuously conveying a rack bar provided with a rack teeth portion and a ball screw portion by a quenching means, and a step of sequentially applying a quenching treatment to each circumferential surface of the rack teeth portion and the ball screw portion. The quenching treatment is preferably and sequentially applied to each entire circumferential surface of the rack teeth portion and the ball screw portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2003Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: JTEKT CorporationInventor: Kenichi Fukumura
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Patent number: 7717009Abstract: A rotary damper includes an operating part mounted in an interior in a vehicle in such a manner that the operating part can be introduced or withdrawn, an operating part case that guides a path of the operating part, a pinion gear mounted to one side of the operating part and a guide rail rotatably mounted to the operating part case such that the pinion gear can be engaged with the guide rail. Further, a separation preventing protrusion is provided at a portion of the guide rail, where the pinion gear starts to move in a curvilinear form, the separation preventing protrusion configured to support an outside surface of the pinion gear.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2007Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.Inventor: Young Kyoung Cho
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Patent number: 7695205Abstract: A driving apparatus includes a driving gear bidirectionally rotatable by a driving source, at least two driven gears selectively driven by the driving gear, at least two swing gears connected to the driving gear to operate in combination with the driving gear and to transmit a driving force of the driving gear to the driven gears, a swing lever pivotally disposed to support the swing gears, and an adjusting unit to adjust a swing position of the swing lever.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2007Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hyun-il Kim, Kyung-pyo Kang
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Patent number: 7685897Abstract: A differential gear transmission type work units positioning system includes a linking mechanism, which is formed of a compound gear, a fixed rack, a drive rack, a driven rack, a rail and a screw rod, and is coupled to a number of work units, for example, Charge-Coupled Device work units, pitch-adjustable material suction and feeding work units, or pitch-adjustable material carrying work units for controlling the positioning of the work units and moving the work units at an equal pitch, and a driving mechanism for driving the linking mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2004Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Utechzone Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ying-Ming Hung
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Publication number: 20100064834Abstract: A plurality of ring-shaped sealing members are spaced from each other on the outer periphery of each of first and second end caps that seal openings of first and second cylinder holes. Ring-shaped flow paths are formed between adjacent ring-shaped sealing members. Parts of air flow paths that supply and discharge compressed air to and from pressure chambers of the cylinder holes are formed by the ring-shaped flow paths.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: SMC CorporationInventors: Kiyoshi TAKEUCHI, Mitsunori Magaribuchi, Kazuhiro Shinohara
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Publication number: 20100064835Abstract: A method of forming a rack (45) (e.g. of the type used in a geared system such as a rack and pinion), suitable for use in a stairlift rail, comprises providing a plurality (30) of elongate strips (10) and securing the plurality of strips together as a stack of strips to form the rack. The strips may be profiled to provide a profile to the rack. Preferably the profile provides a toothed rack on which a gear or roller of a stairlift carriage may be driven. The rack may be formed in a continuous process. The rack may be straight or curved. A rack comprising a plurality of elongate strips secured together as a stack of strips is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: Minivator LimitedInventor: Nick G. Luckett
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Patent number: 7677125Abstract: A rack and pinion stabilizer system for a refrigerator drawer. The rack and pinion stabilizer system comprises a pair of drawer glides attached to first and second liner walls of a refrigerator. Each of the drawer glides has an attached rack gear with at least one tooth having an irregular profile. A pair of gear wheels having an axle therebetween are also provided. The gear wheels are provided in rotatable engagement with the rack gears and are capable of rotating in unison. An alignment mechanism is also provided. The alignment mechanism is attached to at least one of the rack gears for providing initial alignment of the first and second rack gears with the first and second gear wheels. Additionally, a drawer in operable communication with at least one of the drawer glides and axle is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Chad Rotter
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Publication number: 20100052280Abstract: The invention relates to a toothed rod or a threaded rod, particularly for a steering device for a motor vehicle, comprising a first rod-shaped pan which has at least one element for converting a rotational movement into a translational movement, said element being the functional element of the toothed rod or threaded rod, and being particularly a teething and/or a threading for engaging in a threaded nut or a threaded mechanism. The invention also has a second rod-shaped part which is connected to the first rod-shaped part and which preferably has at least one additional functional element of the toothed rod or threaded rod. The rod-shaped parts have hollow cavities which open toward connection ends in which connecting pins of a separate connection part are held by a press fit for the purpose of connecting the rod-shaped parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2009Publication date: March 4, 2010Inventors: Roman Bilmayer, Ralf Eckstein
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Patent number: 7669498Abstract: A transmission system includes two or more independent chambers, in each of which shafts with gears thereon are provided for rolling in synchronous motion, and a carrier with adjustable gear devices on a bottom thereof. Each of the adjustable gear devices has a base, a movable rack member, vertical springs and horizontal springs. The movable rack member is connected to the base to be moved along a horizontal direction. The vertical springs are provided between the base and the carrier to urge the adjustable gear device along a vertical direction. The movable rack member has a rack portion to be meshed with the gears of the shafts, such that the carrier is moved by the gears to cross the chambers. With the movement of the movable rack member both along the horizontal and the vertical direction, the carrier is transported in a smooth, synchronous, skid-proof, stable and real-time motion during the crossing chamber process.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2005Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Hsiuping Institute of TechnologyInventors: Geeng-Jen Sheu, Tuan-Jen Yu, Chung-Chung Liu, Chien-Ming Li, Hsin-Lun Wu
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Publication number: 20100028109Abstract: A robot is provided which comprises a wafer blade (105) having a pocket (109) therein for receiving a semiconductor wafer, and a retractable protrusion (107) which is movable from a first position in which said protrusion prevents the removal of said wafer from said pocket, to a second position in which said protrusion permits the removal of said wafer from said pocket.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2009Publication date: February 4, 2010Inventor: Richard J. Kent
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Publication number: 20100024583Abstract: A rack shaft support device includes: a rack shaft support member that is accommodated inside a retention hole formed in a housing so as to slide in an axial direction of the retention hole, and slidably supports a rack shaft; a sealing member fixed to an inlet port of the retention hole; an intermediate member that is interposed between the rack shaft support member and the sealing member; a torsion spring that couples the sealing member and the intermediate member; a cam mechanism that converts a rotational force of the intermediate member induced by untwisting of the torsion spring to a force by which the intermediate member pushes the rack shaft support member; an opposing portion that opposes a rear surface of the rack shaft support member; and an annular elastic member that is interposed between the rear surface of the rack shaft support member and the opposing portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2009Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Akitake Kawakubo, Yoshinori Suzuki, Hirofumi Ishimi, Yoshio Kondo
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Patent number: 7654165Abstract: A steering rack for a vehicle rack and pinion steering gear and a method of manufacturing a steering rack includes a first member having a toothed region, attached to a tubular second member, the second member includes a bore, the cross section of the bore being circular along the length of the second member. The second member has at least one region of increased wall thickness and reduced bore diameter formed by an upsetting operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2004Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Bishop Innovation LimitedInventor: Klaus Juergen Roeske
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Patent number: 7654166Abstract: Apparatus for automatically adjusting yoke clearance in a steering device in a rack-pinion type steering device.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2008Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Mando CorporationInventor: Sung-moo Heo
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Publication number: 20100018337Abstract: A rack shaft support device includes: a rack shaft support member that slidably supports a rack shaft; a sealing member fixed to an inlet port of a retention hole formed in a housing; an intermediate member that is interposed between the rack shaft support member and the sealing member; a torsion spring that couples the intermediate member so that torque is transmitted to the intermediate member; a torsion amount adjusting member that is attached to the sealing member in such a manner that a position of the torsion amount adjusting member with respect to the sealing member is adjustable and adjusts a torsion amount of the torsion spring; and a cam mechanism that converts a rotation force of the intermediate member induced by untwisting of the torsion spring into a force by which the intermediate member pushes the rack shaft support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2009Publication date: January 28, 2010Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Akitake Kawakubo, Yoshinori Suzuki, Hirofumi Ishimi
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Publication number: 20100018122Abstract: An arrangement comprises a housing, in particular of a cooling and/or freezing device, a door which is articulated to the housing so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis of a hinge, and at least one drive device for pivoting the door relative to the housing, with the drive device comprising a drive unit by means of which a moment is exertable on the door relative to the hinge axis via at least one force transmission means.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2009Publication date: January 28, 2010Applicants: SUSPA Holding Gmbh, Liebherr-Hausgerate Ochsenhausen GmbHInventors: Josef HECHT, Dietmar Blersch, Armin Pfister, Florian Stephan, Jens Scharf, Markus Kegel, Herbert Müller
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Publication number: 20100013186Abstract: A fully powered motorcycle stand is disclosed that is attachable to a motorcycle undercarriage and is able to extend legs on either side of the motorcycle. The legs are extended by a leg extending mechanism, such as an electric motor or a hydraulic pump and piston. Legs can include tubular and/or solid bars, and can have feet attached to the leg bottom. The legs can be connected, such as by a crossbar, or if not connected, can be separately extendable to different lengths so as to support the motorcycle vertically on uneven terrain. A stand controller sends control commands to the leg extending mechanism. A safety mechanism can be included that prevents leg extension while the motorcycle is moving, and an anti-theft system can be included that prevents leg retraction without a key or passcode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2008Publication date: January 21, 2010Inventor: Alcide G. Markie
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Publication number: 20090323278Abstract: A portable electronic device comprises a main body, a sliding cover slidably mounted on the main body, a flipping cover rotatably mounted on one end of the main body, and a transmission mechanism connecting the flipping cover to the sliding cover such that when the flipping cover rotates relative to the main body, the sliding cover slides relative to the main body.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: CHI MEI COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: CHI-CHUNG LU
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Patent number: 7631571Abstract: A rack and pinion steering system including a rack slidably supported within a housing that engages in a pinion gear. A yoke assembly, including a yoke member engaging the rack, operates to guide the rack and maintain engagement of the rack and pinion during operation of the steering system. A retainer member holds a yoke plug, used in the yoke assembly, in position and also seals the yoke assembly to provide a sealed interface that protects the internal components of the steering system from water and other contaminants.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2006Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John David Douma, Madhu Nambiar, Luis Carballo, Jr., Brian Robert Burchart, Michael Patrick Rodgers
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Publication number: 20090301245Abstract: The invention relates to a toothed rack, which is at least in sections hollow and whose longitudinal axis extends parallel to a longitudinal direction and which in its hollow region includes a wall encompassing the longitudinal axis of the toothed rack in a circumferential direction and in at least a subregion comprises a toothing. In the circumferential direction spaced apart from the toothing, at least one local attenuation and/or holding edge is developed in the wall, which, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the toothed rack, extends at least over a portion of the length of the toothing next to it.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2009Publication date: December 10, 2009Inventor: Ralf Eckstein
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Publication number: 20090295063Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet support, a restricting portion, a displacement section, and a link section. The restricting portion slides along a line passing through restricting points. The restricting portion restricts the position of the sheet when the restricting portion is positioned at each of the restricting points. The link section interlinks the restricting portion and the displacement section. The position of the displacement section is detected. The link section, which interlinks the restricting section and the displacement section, is configured to change a ratio of a distance that the displacement section travels as the restricting section travels a fixed distance, wherein the ratio of the distance between those restricting points which define a relatively large spacing therebetween becomes longer than the ratio of the distance between those restricting points which define a relatively small spacing therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventors: Masahiko FUJITA, Tadasu TANIGUCHI, Masaya ASAKAWA, Norichika KATSURA
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Publication number: 20090284668Abstract: A display screen turning apparatus includes a display screen support member provided with a first gear and supporting a display screen portion rotatably in a horizontal plane and rotatably with respect to a vertical plane and a rack plate provided with a second gear meshing with the first gear, wherein the first gear meshed with the second gear moves by movement of the second gear following linear movement of the rack plate in the horizontal plane, thereby rotating the display screen support member in an anteroposterior direction by a prescribed angle with respect to the vertical plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kunio Sawai, Daisuke Shimizu
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Patent number: 7614317Abstract: The invention relates to a rack-and-pinion gear mechanism (1), for example for use in a steering mechanism of a motor vehicle, and to a method for the production of the rack-and-pinion gear mechanism (1). The mechanism comprises a housing (101), in which a pinion shaft (102) is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis (103). The pinion shaft (102) is connected to a rack (110) which is mounted in the housing (101) in such a way as to be longitudinally displaceable. A counter-pressure device (102, 123) compensates for reaction forces between the pinion shaft (102) and the rack (110), having a thrust piece (102) and an adjusting/closing nut (25), between which a spring (123) is supported. The adjusting/closing nut (25) is composed of a material which has a softening/melting point such that the adjusting/closing nut (25) can be softened and/or melted locally while installed in the housing (101) without damaging the housing (101).Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dirk Sickert, Frank Peter Engels, Frank Odenthal
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Publication number: 20090260467Abstract: When a punch is downwardly pressed, an inner circumferential surface of a first rack blank bites into a top surface of a second rack blank. A blank material upwardly flows due to a reaction force and is used to form rack teeth. Thus, a filling degree of the teeth with the material is enhanced. At the time when the forming of the rack teeth is finished, a gap is left between the inner circumferential surface of the first rack blank and the outer circumferential surface of the second rack blank. Thus, a die is not put into a sealed condition. Consequently, a forming load is small so that the lifetime of the die is lengthened. Also, the top surface of the second rack blank bites into a bore hole portion of the first rack blank so that the first rack blank and the second rack blank are joined together. Accordingly, the rigidity of the entire rack teeth is increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2006Publication date: October 22, 2009Applicant: NSK LTD.Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Kotaro Hirota, Kiyoshi Ootsuka
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Publication number: 20090244872Abstract: A portable electronic device (100) is described including a housing (10) and a supporting mechanism (30) supporting the housing. The supporting mechanism includes a shaft (32) secured relative to the housing, a gear (34) rotatably secured with the shaft, a supporting rod (36) secured with the gear, and a rack (38) secured relative to the housing, and further relative to the gear and supporting rod by a meshing of the gear with the rack. The meshing can be changed to drive the supporting rod to rotate relative to the rack and the shaft along with a rotation of the gear about the shaft and along the rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicants: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITEDInventor: FENG-QIAN YAN
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Patent number: 7588258Abstract: A steering apparatus includes an attaching bracket connecting end portions of a pair of tie rods to a rack shaft. The attaching bracket includes a base which is fixed to the rack shaft and includes at least one fixing member inserting hole through which a fixing member fixing the attaching bracket to the rack shaft is provided, and a supporting stay supporting the end portions of the pair of tie rods via ball joints respectively. The supporting stay extends from an intermediate portion of the base in an axial direction of the rack shaft. A center of the ball joint supporting the end portion of each of the tie rods is positioned offset from an axial line of the fixing member by a predetermined distance when viewed along the axial direction of the rack shaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2007Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: JTEKT CorporationInventors: Masaaki Hashimoto, Masahiko Hirose, Yoshihide Ohara, Takahiro Tanaka
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Publication number: 20090223314Abstract: A steering gear assembly with a pinion shaft, rack, housing and rack bearing. A biasing assembly biases the rack bearing against the rack and into engagement with the pinion. The biasing assembly includes a gross adjustment member secured to the housing, a bearing assembly with a bearing member coupled with the rack bearing and a first adjustment member. A first biasing member is coupled with the bearing member and first adjustment member which are relatively moveable to thereby define a compliance zone to allow for dimensional variations in the meshing of the rack and pinion. An adjustment biasing assembly is operably disposed between the gross adjustment member and the bearing assembly. The adjustment biasing assembly is disposed entirely within the housing, includes a second biasing member, and urges the first adjustment member toward the rack bearing in continuously-variable axial movements while preventing movement away from the rack bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2008Publication date: September 10, 2009Inventor: Michael A. Eickholt
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Publication number: 20090220343Abstract: A method for repairing a hub pitch gear assembly. The method includes providing a ring assembly for adjusting a pitch angle of a wind turbine blade having a plurality of gear teeth. A segment of the ring assembly is removed, the segment including at least a portion of at least one gear tooth, to form a repair cavity. A repair segment configured to mate the repair cavity is provided and the repair segment is directed into the repair cavity and fastened in position. A repaired pitch gear assembly and wind turbine are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Paul Stephen DIMASCIO, Ryan CLOSE, Gunther AUER, Robert GRIMLEY, Alan HAMEL
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Patent number: 7581926Abstract: A power generating system wherein a turbine is mounted on top of a tower or tethered underwater. The turbine includes a rotor having a main blade connected to a rotor hub and an extender section. An adjusting device positions the extender blade between a retracted position within the main blade and to an extended position to expose more or less of the rotor to the fluid flow. The adjusting device includes a servo-controlled rack and pinion mechanism that converts rotation of the pinion by a servomotor into linear motion of the extender blade. A generator is connected to the turbine for generating electrical energy.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2005Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Clipper Windpower Technology, Inc.Inventors: James G. P. Dehlsen, Amir S. Mikhail
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Publication number: 20090211385Abstract: The invention relates to an adjusting device for adjustment of a dimension of an object, applying especially to adjustment of a dimension of an object intended to be worn by a user, such as a helmet. The device comprises a pinion with first teeth, free in rotation about an axis in a housing, and a rack provided with a row of second teeth, slid freely in translation into the housing. The second teeth cooperate with the first teeth so that rotation of the pinion causes translation of the rack. The rack is deformable elastically, such that when a force is exerted on it in the direction opposite the direction of translation during rotation of the pinion, it undergoes elastic deformation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2009Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: DECATHLONInventors: Alexandre FIQUEPRON, Julien Laine
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Publication number: 20090126523Abstract: A mechanical deployment and actuation system may comprise a rotation module, a pinion module, a rack module, and a bevel module. The rotation module may be configured to couple to a housing and rotate about the principal axis of the rotation module relative to the housing. The pinion module may be configured to couple to the rotation module and selectively rotate about the principal axis of the pinion module relative to the rotation module. The rack module may be configured to dynamically couple to the pinion module and translate along the principal axis of the rack module in response to rotation of the pinion module. The bevel module may be configured to couple to the rotation module and selectively rotate the rotation module, wherein rotation of the rotation module rotates about the principal axis of the rotation module, the rack module, and the pinion module.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2007Publication date: May 21, 2009Inventor: ERIK A. FJERSTAD
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Publication number: 20090120226Abstract: A rack and pinion type steering device capable of reducing contact surface pressure, suppressing the wear of contact surfaces, and preventing a rack guide movable amount from being excessively increased by increasing the contact area of the outer peripheral surface of roller on the outer peripheral surface of a rack shaft in a rack guide, and method of manufacturing the steering gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2006Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: NSK LtdInventor: Hiroki Nishikubo
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Publication number: 20090107271Abstract: A rack-and-pinion steering apparatus in which a steering gear box for transmitting an operation of a steering wheel to road wheels includes a pinion operatively connected to the steering wheel, a rack bar which has a rack meshing with the pinion, and which is operatively connected to the road wheels, a housing slidably supporting the rack bar, a cylindrical rack guide slidably fitted into a guide hole formed in the housing, and a spring member causing the rack guide to abut on a rear part of the rack bar opposite to the rack by biasing the rack guide. A reaction force, which the rack guide receives from the rack bar, acts on the rack guide in such a way as to cause a rotational moment of the rack guide about an axis different from an axis of the rack guide.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tsuyoshi Matsuo, Yasuo Shimizu, Katsuji Watanabe
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Publication number: 20090112406Abstract: A correction value calculating section 70 is provided with a pinion shaft torsion angle correction value calculating section 74 and a pinion shaft torsion angular velocity correction value calculating section 75 for calculating a correction value in consideration with the transmission characteristic of the steering assist torque from the electric motor 6 to the steerable vehicle wheel 9. Therefore, the electric motor 6 can generate the steering assist torque compensating for the influence by the transmission characteristic of the steering assist torque from the electric motor 6 to the steerable vehicle wheel 9 by correcting a target value defined by a detection value of the torque sensor 3 with the correction value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Takehito Fujii, Motoaki Kataoka, Kunihiko Chiba, Daiji Watanabe
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Publication number: 20090056487Abstract: A fastener device is disclosed for binding together items of varying size and number in a releasable fashion. The binding tension is adjustable. A flexible elongated gear or rack is connected at a first end to a rotational gear and rack guide housing. The gear housing includes guide apertures for passing the second end of the rack through the gear housing for engagement with a round gear or pinion mounted in the housing wherein teeth of the pinion engage the teeth of the rack. The pinion is operatively connected to an adjustment wheel or lever that can cause rotation of the pinion. A pawl operatively connected to the gear housing operatively engages either the rack or the pinion to block relative movement of the pinion and the rack when the rack and pinion are engaged. Optional spring tensioning of the pawl can limit maximum tension of the binding and/or permit rapid release of the binding without damage to the device and/or the items being bound together.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventor: Yangpian Chiu
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Publication number: 20090038429Abstract: A rack and pinion steering device has a pinion rotatable in the R-direction, a rack bar having rack teeth meshing with the pinion and rectilinearly movable in the A-direction, a housing for rotatably supporting the pinion, a rack guide for slidably supporting the rack bar, and an elastic means for pressing the rack guide toward the pinion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2006Publication date: February 12, 2009Inventors: Masahiko Hirose, Masaaki Hashimoto, Nobuyuki Sato, Masao Shimura, Yoshiro Kuzumi
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Patent number: 7487984Abstract: A wear compensator for use in a vehicle rack and pinion steering assembly and a method of biasing a rack against a pinion shaft gear in a rack and pinion steering assembly are disclosed. The wear compensator may include a rack follower, an adjuster plug, a wear cam and a torsion spring. The rack follower slides on the rack. The adjuster plug is retained by the steering gear housing and includes a plug cam surface. The wear cam includes a wear cam surface operatively engaging the plug cam surface, is mounted between the rack follower and the adjuster plug, and can rotate relative to the adjuster plug. The torsion spring connects between the adjuster plug and the wear cam in order to rotatably bias the wear cam relative to the adjuster plug.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2007Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Charles J. Lemont, Jr., Jose M. Lopez, William C. Gregory, Robert S. Brines, Scott R. Kloess, Charu S. Hayes, Darrin S. Mallard, Terry R. Peterson, David C. Pomerville
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Patent number: 7472640Abstract: A pneumatic control rotary actuator that incorporates a control piston of a rack toothing engaging with a pinion to cause it to rotate together with an item holder device; the pinion has toothing made up of several parallel pins (23) spaced at an angle, positioned and held orderly between a base flange (21) and an item holder disk head (22); the base flange and the disk are each produced by compression molding, die-casting, sinterization and the like, using a low mechanical resistance material whereas the pins are made of some other material with high mechanical properties and hardness.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2007Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Gimatic S.p.AInventor: Giuseppe Maffeis
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Patent number: 7469897Abstract: A shifter is equipped with a rack and a stopper. A transmission gear transmits power from an electric motor to the rack. A retention pin extends vertically downward from the transmission gear. When the shifter slides to an origin, the retention pin locks the stopper, which causes the electric motor to step out. On detecting the step-out of the electric motor, the position control device recognizes that the shifter has reached the origin (the reference position) and has been fixed at the position, thus setting the shifter position.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2004Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshiaki Hiramoto, Kayo Kamei, Masatsugu Hatanaka, Shigeru Yoshida, Motokazu Nakao
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Patent number: 7464960Abstract: A vehicle occupant classification system categorizes vehicle occupants into various classes such as adult, child, infant, etc. to provide variable control for a vehicle restraint system such as an airbag. The classification system utilizes sensors that are installed in various locations in the vehicle. The sensors are used to generate a three-dimensional profile for the vehicle occupant. Various factors can affect the accuracy of this three-dimensional profile. Fuzzy logic is used to reduce some of the inaccuracies by providing multiple decision levels for various stages of the classification. Inaccuracies are also caused by sensors shifting within the system from their original position. This condition creates offset and the system evaluates this offset and generates a correction factor to provide a more accurate three-dimensional profile.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Gerd Winkler, Andreas Knueppel, Gerald Schicker
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Publication number: 20080295629Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for automatically adjusting clearance of a support yoke of a rack and pinion type steering apparatus, the apparatus including: a support yoke making contact with one side of a rack bar so as to support the rack bar; at least one cam assembled with one side of the support yoke so as to support the support yoke; a yoke plug which is positioned at one side of the cam so as to support the cam and is assembled with a rack housing; and a yoke spring included at one side of the support yoke so as to apply elastic force to the support yoke in a direction of the rack bar. In a case where the support yoke is worn away due to friction, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2008Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventor: Joon-kyu SONG