Worm Patents (Class 74/425)
  • Patent number: 9222547
    Abstract: A worm wheel (50) is structured integrally with an output shaft (52). The worm wheel (50) includes the output shaft (52), a circular flange (50a) with the output shaft (52) placed as the center, and teeth (50b) formed on the periphery of the flange (50a) and in mesh with a worm. The flange (50a) is provided with a first recessed flange portion (50c) opposite to the side of the output shaft (52), and the bottom (54) of the first recessed flange portion (50c) has a ring-shaped first planar portion (54a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Mabuchi Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Uenishi, Kazuyuki Yamamoto, Yasuhiro Yamagata, Kiyoto Itou
  • Patent number: 9091337
    Abstract: A reducer of an electric power steering apparatus is disclosed. It reduces rattle noise generated by a backlash due to friction and wear of a worm and a worm wheel or an impact transmitted from a road surface through a wheel and a steering shaft and enhances a steering feeling of a driver by improving the catching phenomenon and rotational resistance generated between a worm shaft and a worm shaft bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bong Sung Ko, Seong Yoon Kim, Seung Yong Pyo, Sung Jae Yoo
  • Patent number: 9066813
    Abstract: Unidirectional dynamic interbody fusion devices and methods of use for insertion into a patient in order to maintain a space between two vertebral bodies. A first interbody fusion device including a body member, at least one side member, and a means for moving the at least one side member relative to the central body member. A second interbody fusion device including a base member, a top member, and a means for moving the top member relative to the base member. A surgical method for maintaining a space between two vertebral bodies in a spine, including obtaining a medical device, inserting and coupling an expansion tool into an opening within the medical device, slidingly inserting the medical device into a space between two vertebral bodies; and rotating the expansion tool to move the at least one side member in a direction relative to the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet Spine, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Farris, Daniel Refai, Brian G. Emerick, Ross R. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20150144416
    Abstract: The invention relates to a superposition drive for a superimposed steering system of a motor vehicle, with a drive shaft and a drive gear cooperating with the drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is pivotally mounted with respect to the drive gear. A lever element pivotally mounted with respect to the drive gear, which is designed and arranged such that pivoting of the lever element entails pivoting of the drive shaft or vice versa pivoting of the drive shaft entails pivoting of the lever element, is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Marotzke
  • Patent number: 9021903
    Abstract: A linear actuator has a housing, a piston slideable within the housing along a slide axis, a first shaft rotatable about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the slide axis, a second shaft rotatable about a second axis parallel to the slide axis, in which the second shaft and the piston are engaged to convert rotational motion of the second shaft into linear motion of the piston, and in which the first shaft and the second shaft are engaged by a ball-worm gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Elliott, Arnaud Didey
  • Patent number: 9003912
    Abstract: Reduction gear units are provided comprising a gearbox, a cam assembly, a bearing assembly, a first gear and a second gear. The first and second gears may engage one another and translate rotating movement from one axis to an axis perpendicular thereto. The second gear is disengagable from the first gear by action of the cam assembly, which is adapted to disengage the second gear from the first gear through eccentric rotation of the cam assembly. In one embodiment, a bearing assembly carried by the cam assembly is preloaded. The cam assembly is disposed so that the preloaded can be maintained during manufacture of the gearbox. In another embodiment, the gearbox case and cam assembly are disposed so as to minimize internal leakage from the case and enhance sealing of the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Omni USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Daniel, Bradford Newcomb
  • Patent number: 8984980
    Abstract: A gear motor assembly includes a casing having a through hole, a motor fixed to the casing, an output shaft, a gear fixed to the output shaft and driven by the motor, and a substantially tubular bearing fixed in the through hole of the casing. The gear has a shaft portion that is sleeved in the bearing. A slot is formed in the inner surface of the bearing and/or the outer surface of the shaft portion and is filled with lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Wing Cheung Lam, Qiang Xu, Marlou Tampus Malabo
  • Patent number: 8978502
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission drive unit (10; 40; 50; 70) having an adapter element made of plastic (22; 22a; 53; 73) via which a torque is initiated by an input element (29) and a drive element (12; 12a; 51; 72) made of metal for forwarding the torque, wherein the adapter element (22; 22a; 53; 73) and the drive element (12; 12a; 51; 72) are directly coupled to one another and rigidly connected, wherein the adapter element (22; 22a; 53; 73) is an injection molded part which is formed by at least partial overmolding of the drive element (12; 12a; 51; 72) and wherein the drive element (12; 12a; 51; 72) serves as a bearing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Susanne Albrecht, Frank Braunegger, Robert Heitz, Peter Steuer, Siegfried Reichmann
  • Publication number: 20150059506
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reducer of an electric power steering apparatus. According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a damping member is provided on an outer circumference surface of a bearing bush so that impact between a worm shaft bearing and a bearing bush can be dampened, and noise generated at the time of impact can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Hyun Bi KWON
  • Patent number: 8967011
    Abstract: A gear structure is configured to support vertical motion of an electric pop-up monitor. More specifically, a double rack gear structure is configured to support a pop-up monitor. The rack gear structure includes an outer gear and an inner gear. The outer gear is coupled at a side of the monitor frame to operate integrally with the monitor frame, and enables the vertical motion of the monitor frame with an ascending or descending motion. The inner gear is received inside the outer gear. The inner gear performs an ascending or descending motion simultaneously with the outer gear, and supports forward and rearward or right and left shaking, which occurs in the outer gear, by maximizing a portion overlapping with the outer gear when the outer gear has ascended to the maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joung Hoon Lee, Wan Woo Lee
  • Publication number: 20150040359
    Abstract: A tensioning assembly comprising a worm gear having a core and a thread design formed on the core, wherein the core has a catenoidal shape, is disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: USA Products Group Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond S. Brown
  • Publication number: 20150040707
    Abstract: Disclosed is a reducer of a vehicle. Size and weight of the reducer can be reduced by removing a pivot bearing and a damping coupler which are expensive and used for supporting a movement of a worm shaft and for buffering an impact applied to the worm shaft in a conventional reducer, thereby saving a manufacturing cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Kwang Seok HONG
  • Patent number: 8950279
    Abstract: A linear actuator includes a motor, a movable unit, and a stroke control unit. The motor includes a spindle. The movable unit includes a worm gear and a rotary shaft. The worm is provided with annular spiral or helix teeth. The stroke control unit includes at least one transmission member and at least one micro switch. The at least one transmission member is engaged with and driven by the spiral or the helix teeth of the movable unit for synchronical rotation to activating or deactivating the micro switch. In this way, the linear actuator is simplified in structure and reduced in volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: JUF Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Hung Cheng, Wei-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 8950280
    Abstract: The wear-compensation device for a gear comprises a fixed support capable of being fixed axially on an external element in order to keep the device on the said external element, a bearing designed to be mounted on a shaft comprising one of the wheels of the gear, an eccentric mounted on the bearing and designed to be in contact with the external element, the said eccentric being able to move angularly relative to the fixed support. The device also comprises a torsion spring mounted axially between the fixed support and the eccentric and capable of exerting a circumferential preload force on the said eccentric, the said spring comprising a first end mounted inside a recess of the eccentric and a second end interacting with the fixed support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Romuald Lescorail, Carole Girardin, Daniel Jansen
  • Patent number: 8950281
    Abstract: A worm-gear assembly including a worm screw having at least one groove and a wheel having a plurality of rotatable pins along its periphery for engaging the worm screw. The pins are able to rotate in a direction other than a direction of wheel rotation. At least one raceway is provided for contacting pins that are not engaged with the worm screw during operation of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: SpinControl Gearing LLC
    Inventors: Eric D. Carrier, David O. Carrier
  • Publication number: 20150033892
    Abstract: A gear reducer comprising a worm and a crown-wheel assembly, in turn comprising a crown wheel, which is connected/disconnected to/from a drive shaft by means of a torque limiter mounted on this latter. The gear reducer is characterised in that the drive shaft and the torque limiter are comprised in a cartridge which can be extracted/inserted from/in a cavity obtained in the crown-wheel assembly according to an axial direction and in accordance with two opposite senses, without the need to disassemble the worm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Gustavo Casamenti, Andrea Legnaro, Matteo Zucchini
  • Patent number: 8939043
    Abstract: Linear actuator comprising a housing (1) consisting of at least two parts (1 a, 1 b) a mounting console (2) a reversible motor (7) with a transmission (22), a spindle (5) which over the transmission is driven by the motor, a bearing (16) for embedding the spindle (5), a spindle nut (6) secured against rotation on the spindle, an outer tube (3) which surrounds the spindle, an activation element (4) telescopically mounted in the outer tube (3) and connected to the spindle nut (6), a front mounting (8) on the outer end of the activation element (4), a rear mounting (9) arranged in the housing. In the rear mounting (9) is a seat for the bearing (31) of the spindle. The motor (7), the transmission (22) and the outer tube (3) is secured to the console (2). The mounting console (2) is constructed as a separate element around which the two parts (1a, 1 b) of the housing is assembled and the mounting console (2) constitutes alone the bearing chassis of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventors: Henrik Winther, Torben Iversen, Juan Miguel Galindo Torres
  • Patent number: 8925411
    Abstract: A rack with a rack tip is disclosed. The rack tip is slidably mounted to the end of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Yaw Chuan Lee, Boo Siong Lim
  • Publication number: 20150000444
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a transmission (1), in particular for an adjustment drive, comprising a housing (2), a worm shaft (3) which is rotatably mounted in the housing (2) and which can be driven, a worm wheel (4) which is rotatably mounted in the housing (2) and which meshes with the worm shaft (3), an encircling first wedge surface (5) which is formed on the worm wheel (4) or fixedly connected to the worm wheel (4), a brake element (6) which is arranged so as to be rotationally conjoint with respect to the worm wheel (4) and which has a second wedge surface (7), wherein the first wedge surface (5) bears areally against the second wedge surface (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Willi Schmidt, Anja Burger, Gerhard Genter
  • Publication number: 20140373658
    Abstract: A gear box includes a gear box body of a reducer to which a motor is mounted. The gear box body includes a worm, wheel holding section where a worm wheel of the reducer is held, and a motor holding section, where a part of the motor is contained, the motor holding section having a motor mounting opening. The motor holding section is configured such that a bottom of the motor holding section is provided in a region between a line L1 and a line L2. Here, the line L1 passes through the center C of the worm wheel holding section and is perpendicular to the axis line X of a motor shaft. The line L2 is a tangent line passing through an outer edge portion located near a circular outer peripheral wall of the worm wheel holding section on a motor side and is perpendicular to the axis line X of the motor shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Takashi Tamaki, Satoshi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8904895
    Abstract: A worm wheel including first toothing regions transitioning into and on either side of a second toothing region and a complete annular surface on both ends of the worm wheel. The first toothing regions may have a constant outer diameter and the second toothing region may be depressed relative to the first toothing region. The first toothing regions may be globoid toothing regions and the second toothing region may be a cylindrical toothing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: IMS Gear GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Woehrle, Andreas Voeckt
  • Patent number: 8887591
    Abstract: The invention relates to a geared drive unit (10), in particular a window-lifter drive, comprises a drive-side gear element (11) rotatably mounted in a gear housing (15), by means of which gear element a drive torque can be transmitted to at least one driving element (25, 26) of an output-side coupling element (20). Further, a load torque block is provided, by means of which a torque initiated by the output-side coupling element (20) via the at least one driving element (25, 26) can be blocked, wherein the load torque block comprises a blocking element (42), preferably in the form of a wrap spring, which interacts with an element that is non-rotatably mounted in the gear housing (15) to block the torque. According to the invention, the non-rotatably mounted element is simultaneously constructed as a radial bearing for the drive-side gear element (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Tarek Mili, Detlef Lauk
  • Publication number: 20140331802
    Abstract: A worm gear mechanism (44) comprises a worm (70) and a worm wheel (80) meshed with the worm. In the teeth of a hob (90) used for the gear cutting of the worm wheel, at least the addendum surfaces (91c) are formed into arcuate shapes. The radial centers (93) of the arcs of the addendum surfaces are positioned nearer to a center line (WL?) of the hob than a pitch line (94) of the hob. The worm wheel is cut into a gear by the hob. The worm is formed into the same shape as the hob. The recess meshing length (L) of the worm gear mechanism is designed to be greater than the recess meshing length (Llim) of a conventional worm gear mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Yosuke Tanaka, Yasuo Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20140326095
    Abstract: This face gear has a plurality of annularly arranged gear teeth. A recess for holding grease or another lubricant is formed in the tooth surface of each gear tooth. A recess forming area, which is the area in which the recess is formed, is provided between the tooth bottom and the pitch point in each gear tooth. In other words, a recess is not formed in the part of the tooth surface that is located between the tooth tip and the pitch point. As a result, the gear teeth can be effectively lubricated while minimizing instability in the meshing state between gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuki Okabe
  • Publication number: 20140311267
    Abstract: A worm gear has a worm wheel, a drive shaft, and a flexible shaft. The worm wheel meshes with a worm shaft, which is driven by the drive shaft. The flexible shaft can be arranged in the drive shaft with a radial gap between at least a portion of the flexible shaft and the drive shaft. The flexible shaft can be coupled to the drive shaft such that a first spring constant is provided for displacement of the flexible shaft in a radial direction within a first range and a second spring constant is provided for displacement of the flexible shaft in the radial direction within a second range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Georg Figura, Erik Jürgen Stumpf, Thomas Marotzke, Fabian Wendt
  • Patent number: 8864231
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for a worm drive supporting the worm of the worm drive with washer-shaped thrust slide bearings and bush-shaped radial slide (sintered oil-containing bearings) bearings. The thrust slide bearings are made of a resin containing 95 to 99.9 wt % of polyetheretherketone resin, which is an aromatic polyetherketone resin. Wear of the thrust slide bearings is reduced and its durability is improved, thereby preventing vibration and noise of the worm drive as well as improving its durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Shimoda, Masahiko Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8826764
    Abstract: A braking device for a rotating shaft and a gear motor system using the same. The braking device includes a brake subassembly, a rotating shaft, and a sleeve. The rotating shaft is sheathed with the sleeve. The brake subassembly includes an adjustable screw, a spring, and a brake disc. One end of the spring presses on top of the brake disc and the other end presses at the bottom of the adjustable screw. After the adjustable screw is fixed, the bottom surface of the brake disc is tightly against the outer surface of the sleeve. When the adjustable screw is adjusted, the amount of compression of the spring is changed and the pressure imposed on the brake disc by the spring varies accordingly such that the friction between the brake disc and the sleeve is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Zhongshan Broad-Ocean Motor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hui Hu
  • Publication number: 20140213409
    Abstract: Disclosed is a speed reducer capable of precisely and reliably maintaining a rotational force of the output shaft and of maximizing its efficiency by allowing the rotational force of the driving shaft to transmit and to slow down via a plurality of bevel gears and by preventing the fluctuation of the output shaft so as to prevent uneven wear due to the long working and to prevent the damage due to the fluctuation. The speed reducer comprises a pair of driving gears 11,12 installed at a one end of a driving shaft 10 driven by a driving means, a pair of driven gears 21,22 meshed with the driving gear 11,21 and a rotational member 200 for outputting the rotational force to slow down, in which the driven gears 21,22 comprise a bevel gear, respectively and the rotational member 200 is coupled to the driven gears 21,22.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Eunseok Yoon
  • Publication number: 20140202274
    Abstract: A driving device for driving in rotation a toothed wheel, in particular a turntable, has a worm intended to mesh with the toothed wheel, a motor to drive the worm in rotation, a flexible sleeve that partially surrounds the worm in such a way as to form an assembly described as a worm/sleeve assembly, and a pre-stressing unit. The motor is arranged in a structure that is fitted pivotably relative to the worm/sleeve assembly, and the driving device also has a force transfer unit connecting the motor to the sleeve at a second extremity of the worm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: MICRO CONTROLE - SPECTRA PHYSICS
    Inventors: Eric Durand, Bruno Rety
  • Patent number: 8776892
    Abstract: A system for rotating an element inside a pressure containing housing. In some embodiments, the mechanism includes a pressure containing housing having an opening through a wall of the housing into an internal chamber in which, in use, the element to be rotated is located, a bushing located within the opening, and a worm gear rotatably mounted in the bushing. The worm gear is offset from the axial centre of the bushing such that rotation of the bushing moves the worm gear between an extended position, wherein the thread of the worm gear engages an element in the chamber, and a retracted position, wherein the thread is disengaged from the element in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Fern, Ted Thornburrow
  • Patent number: 8770063
    Abstract: A gearbox housing assembly includes a first plate constructed of a rigid material and defining a first plane. A second plate of the gearbox housing assembly defines a second plane parallel to and spaced from the first plane. The second plate is constructed of a rigid material. A plurality of connectors couples the first plate and the second plate, with an interior space being defined between the first plate and the second plate. A mounting member is coupled to the second plate and has a mounting portion extending away from the interior space. The mounting member is distinct from the second plate to facilitate interchangeability of the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Irfan Bhatti
  • Publication number: 20140165760
    Abstract: A worm gear includes a worm formed with a through hole through which a shaft transmitting the rotation of a motor is inserted, and a worm wheel configured to mesh with the worm and transmit the rotation to an output shaft. Given that a normal pitch is denoted by E and a width of a recess in the direction of a worm axis by H, the worm is configured such that H/E?0.6 (1) is met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: MABUCHI MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyoto Itou, Kazuyuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8746649
    Abstract: A system and method to control vibrations exerted on a non-vibrating structure. The system includes an adjustable variable stiffness support securely attached to both the non-vibrating structure and a vibrating structure. A driver operably associated with the variable stiffness support is configured to selectively adjust the variable stiffness support. A control system in data communication with both a sensor system and the driver includes an algorithm to determine whether adjustment of the variable stiffness support is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Haynes, David L. Williams, Michael R. Smith, Robert J. Pascal, David E. Heverly, Taeoh Lee
  • Patent number: 8725438
    Abstract: A linear actuator comprises a reversible electric motor (2) which, via a transmission, is capable of driving a spindle (4) having a spindle nut (5) secured against rotation and comprises a power supply and a controller. The actuator moreover comprises a memory unit for collecting at least one set of data from the operation, indicating how long and how hard the actuator has worked. It is hereby possible to obtain an overview of the mechanical state of the actuator and thereby prevent unfortunate occurrences and accidents as a consequence of wear-out of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventor: Svend Erik Knudsen Jensen
  • Publication number: 20140102235
    Abstract: A speed reducer for an electric power steering system includes a worm, a worm wheel, and a housing. Only a meshing section where the worm and the worm wheel mesh with each other and a space between the worm wheel and the housing are filled with grease. The grease in the space is in contact with both tooth surfaces of the worm wheel and an inner peripheral face of the housing, the inner peripheral face facing the worm wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji WAKUGAWA, Ryuji NAKATA, Atsuhiro YOSHIDA, Wataru YAMADA, Jun HAMAKITA, Hideyuki HONKADO
  • Patent number: 8695751
    Abstract: A gearbox assembly for all electric power steering apparatus comprises an input shaft which carries a worm gear and is supported relative to the housing at one end by a first bearing assembly and at the other by a second bearing assembly, an output shaft which carries a wheel gear which is fixed relative to a housing and which meshes with a worm gear on the input shaft, and a spring assembly which acts between the housing and the first bearing assembly, and the spring assembly applying a biasing force onto the second bearing in a first direction away from the neutral position so as to ensure that the worm and wheel are fully engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotives US LLC
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Wilkes, Michael Appleyard, Michael James Walsh
  • Publication number: 20140090502
    Abstract: A worm-gear assembly including a worm screw having at least one groove and a wheel having a plurality of rotatable pins along its periphery for engaging the worm screw. The pins are able to rotate in a direction other than a direction of wheel rotation. At least one raceway is provided for contacting pins that are not engaged with the worm screw during operation of the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: SpinControl Gearing LLC
    Inventors: Eric D. Carrier, David O. Carrier
  • Publication number: 20140083794
    Abstract: An apparatus for power steering of a vehicle, comprises: a worm gear arrangement including a worm shaft and a worm wheel engaged with the worm shaft; a bearing to support the worm shaft rotatably; a gear housing structure enclosing the worm gear arrangement, and defining a holder receiving portion; and a holder member arranged to hold the bearing, and fit movably radially in the holder receiving portion. A biasing mechanism urges the holder member or the bearing in a nearing direction toward the worm wheel. A buffer member is arranged to be compressed by the holder member when the holder member is moved in the nearing direction to buffer collision of the holder member in the holder receiving portion. The buffer member is set to have an elastic force smaller than the biasing elastic force of the biasing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS STEERING, LTD.
    Inventor: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS STEERING, LTD.
  • Patent number: 8677848
    Abstract: A speed reduction device for a power seat adapted to be fixed to a seat frame, the speed reduction device includes a worm gear rotating with a motor output shaft, a helical gear meshed with the worm gear and rotating with a drive shaft driving a movable portion of the power seat, and a casing accommodating the worm gear and the helical gear. The casing includes a casing body rotatably supporting the worm gear, a casing cover tightened to the casing body, annular fitting portions fitted to each other, a first engagement portion formed at an outer circumferential side of the annular fitting portion of one of the casing body and the casing cover, a second engagement portion formed at the other of the casing body and the casing cover and engaging with the first engagement portion, and a tightening means tightening the casing cover to the casing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Koga, Eiichiro Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8646350
    Abstract: The actuator has a gear unit with a gear housing and a motor unit with a motor housing and an internally located rotor with a drive shaft, and a cylindrical bearing housing on the drive side. The bearing housing protrudes, along with a bearing and the drive shaft ducted therein, into an opening in the gear housing. The motor housing is flange-mounted, along with a drive shaft mounted therein, to the gear housing. The outside of the bearing housing and the inside of the opening in the gear housing have been geometrically mutually harmonized such that clamping points and tension-free places will form between them when the actuator has been assembled. The pretensioning force resulting therefrom produces a permanent frictional engagement between the outer circumference of the bearing and the bearing support or the bearing shell located opposite it. The operating life of an actuator of such type is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co., Kommanditgesellshaft Wurzburg
    Inventors: Gerald Viernekes, Klaus Zaps
  • Patent number: 8646351
    Abstract: An electric power-assisted steering system of a motor vehicle comprises a helical pinion which engages into a helical gear. A reloading device comprises a reloaded pressure piece which presses the helical pinion into the toothing of the helical gear. The requirements of assembly are reduced and the elastically urging of the helical pinion or the worm need not be adjusted during assembly since the necessary elastically urging is automatically adjusted such that friction in the gearing is minimized, improved efficiency is achieved and the spring force can be held as constant as possible throughout the service life and unwanted noise development in the gearing can be largely reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis Fuechsel, Ekkehard Kneer, Jens Hafermalz, Arne Kuhlen, Marco Grau
  • Patent number: 8640661
    Abstract: A continuously variable valve timing apparatus may include an end plate connected to a camshaft, a drive sprocket rotating the end plate, a first friction plate disposed to be coaxial to the end plate, a second friction plate disposed to be coaxial to the end plate, a first brake selectively braking the first friction plate, a second brake selectively braking the second friction plate, and a control gear portion which changes relative phase between the end plate and the drive sprocket according to braking of the first friction plate or the second friction plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Kook Kong, Soo Hyung Woo, Jin Soon Kim, Sang Won Kim
  • Patent number: 8627745
    Abstract: A worm wheel housing portion 19 of a gear case 16 has a bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom wall portion 19a and a cylindrical wall portion 19b, and a bottom cover 35 is assembled at an opening portion of the worm wheel housing portion 19 so as to seal the opening portion. Among a plurality of latching structures for assembling them, as a latching structure other than those on a worm housing portion 17 side, a groove 44 is formed to a latching claw 38b extending along the cylindrical wall portion 19b from an outer circumferential portion of the bottom cover 35, and a projecting piece 47 engaged with the groove 44 is provided on an outer wall surface of the cylindrical wall portion 19.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Uchimura
  • Patent number: 8621958
    Abstract: A drive device serves for adjusting an operating element for a valve, a throttle, a blow-out preventor or the like, in particular in the field of gas and oil production, the operating element being actively connected to at least one driving motor via a drive train, and at least one transmission changing unit being arranged in the drive train for converting a revolution of the driving motor into a revolution of the operating element and/or a revolution/linear motion converter being arranged for converting the revolution of the driving motor into a linear motion of the operating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Klaus Biester
  • Patent number: 8616080
    Abstract: Provided is an actuator characterized by the use of a shuttle that shifts in response to an overload. The shuttle is movable axially relative to a rotary input member by continued rotation of the rotary input member so that a stop on the shuttle moves from an ambush position allowing free rotation of the rotary input member to a blocking position preventing further rotation of the rotary input member. In this way, the shuttle prevents rotation of a rotary input member during an overload of a control surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Flatt, Ted Alexander McKay
  • Patent number: 8590412
    Abstract: A driving apparatus for operating a sunshade, includes a housing, a gear assembly, a drive unit and a vibration limiter. The drive unit 5 includes a motor with an output shaft, a worm gear connected to the output shaft and the gear assembly and having a free end section opposite to the output shaft. The vibration limiter has an embracing member disposed around the free end section to prevent the free end section from shaking. With the vibration limiter, vibration and rattling noises can be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Macauto Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul Lin
  • Patent number: 8573091
    Abstract: A compliant mechanism includes a first unit, a second unit, at least one elastic member and a driver for driving the elastic member to rotate through a predetermined angle. The first and second units collectively define a passage about which the second unit is rotatable relative to the first unit. The elastic member has a plate and first and second shafts which are coaxially connected to two opposite ends of the plate respectively and rotatably connected with the first and second units respectively. The elastic member is rotatable about a co-axis of the first and second shafts and elastically deformable when the second unit rotates relative to the first unit. The elastic member can change its resistance to the rotation of the second unit by rotating; therefore the compliant mechanism has a great safety upon receiving load and is widely applicable in many fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Precision Machinery Research Development Center
    Inventors: Che-Chien Chen, Tzu-Min Yi, I-Ping Chang, Cheng-Wei Tung
  • Patent number: 8577527
    Abstract: A drive control device which estimates an engine torque during traveling in a fixed gear ratio mode is disclosed. The drive control device includes the engagement mechanism including the revolution component revolved by the torque of the engine and the fixed component that engages with the revolution component, the torque applying unit which applies torque to the revolution component and the first transmitting control unit which engages the engagement mechanism to make the engagement mechanism receive the reaction force of the torque. The torque estimating control unit executes control of torque applied to the revolution component by the torque applying unit during executing the control by the first transmitting control unit to detect the phase change between the revolution component and the fixed component and estimates the torque of the engine based on the phase change and torque applied by the torque applying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsumasa Fukumura, Shoichi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8555742
    Abstract: The invention involves a gearbox, especially for adjustment devices in motor vehicles, with a plastic worm drive. The invention provides that the worm drive has an encircling, circular flat contact surface perpendicular to the worm axle and a number of removal pockets in the form of recesses that are interposed axially between contact surface and the worm axle and at the same time arranged in a level recessed to the level of contact surface, whereby an encircling bevel is formed in the transition area from level of removal pockets to the level of the circular contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: IMS Gear GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Hoch, Stéphane Birker, Michael Woehrle
  • Patent number: 8549945
    Abstract: A reducer of an electronic power steering apparatus is disclosed. The reducer of an electronic power steering apparatus aids the operation of a steering wheel by the driver by preventing a clearance from being caused by frictional wear between a worm and a worm wheel, by reducing rattle noise caused by backlash, and by minimizing the change in the clearance due to a change in torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventors: Hee-dong Rho, Young-sock Jung