Joints and connections – Articulated members – Including static joint
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-19
2003-05-13
Brittain, James R. (Department: 3677)
Joints and connections
Articulated members
Including static joint
C280S093511, C403S070000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06561715
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a steering linkage system for motor vehicles, and, more particularly, to a system for connecting a tie rod assembly to a relay rod.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of steering linkage systems are used to control the steering of an automotive vehicle. A well known type of steering linkage system has a relay rod connected to the frame or chassis of an automobile by two pivoting members, such as a pitman arm and an idler. In this type of arrangement the relay rod shifts back and forth laterally in response to steering input from the steering wheel of the automobile via a steering gear. The pivoting members are connected to the relay rod by ball and socket assemblies. The opposite end portions of the relay rod are each connected to a steering knuckle by a tie rod assembly. The tie rod assemblies are connected to the relay rod by ball and socket assemblies. The steering knuckles turn the front wheels of the automobile to steer the automobile in response to movements of the relay rod and tie rods that connect the relay rod to the steering knuckles. The steering knuckles are connected to suspension members by ball and socket assemblies. Some steering linkage systems also include a drag link for moving the relay rod.
As noted, the inner end of the tie rod is typically connected to a corresponding end of the relay rod by a ball and socket assembly.
FIG. 1
shows a conventional inner tie rod to relay rod connection system. Specifically, the inner tie rod
10
is attached to a distal end of the relay rod
12
via a ball and socket assembly
14
. The ball and socket assembly
14
includes a hollow cylindrical housing
16
having an upstanding threaded post
16
a
, a disk portion
16
b
and a annular wall
16
c
projecting generally perpendicular from disk portion
16
b
so as to define a socket cavity. The ball and socket assembly
14
also includes a ball stud
18
having a shank segment
18
a
and a ball segment
18
b
which is retained in the cavity between a spring seat
20
and a ball seat
22
.
A spring (not shown) is inserted into a reduced diameter portion of the cavity with a belleville spring washer (not shown) positioned between a planar end face of housing disk portion
16
b
and a planar end face of the spring seat
20
. The surface of seat
20
is adapted to engage a portion of the spherical external surface of the ball segment
18
b
. Prior to assembly of ball stud
18
into housing
16
, shank segment
18
a
is passed through a bore formed through ball seat
22
such that another portion of the spherical exterior surface of ball segment
18
b
engages a partial spherical seat surface formed in ball seat
22
and which communicates with the bore.
To secure the ball stud
18
within housing
16
, external threads are formed on ball seat
22
and are threaded into internal threads formed in the cavity of housing
16
. Ball seat
22
is then tightened into housing
16
until a desired torque is reached. In addition, a blind tapped hole
24
is formed in the end of the relay rod
12
. In order to fasten the tie rod to the relay rod, the upstanding threaded post
16
a
of the housing
16
is threaded into the blind tapped hole
24
in the end of the relay rod
12
.
A disadvantage with the system just described is that there must be a minimum straight length in the relay rod
12
adjacent to the inner tie rod
10
attachment point. In addition, that straight length cannot be larger in diameter than the distance across the outer diameter of the disc portion
16
b
of the housing
16
. These requirements are driven by the need to remove an automated tightening tool once the inner tie rod to relay rod connection has been made. Specifically, an automated wrench that is used during assembly can only be removed from the inner tie rod in one position, and thus after tightening must be slid over the relay rod in order to rotate back to its home position.
In addition, the design provides no allowance to compensate for the location of the inner tie rod ball in vehicle position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a connection system for interconnecting members of a vehicular steering linkage system. The connection system includes a first steering module and a second steering member adapted to receive the first steering module. A clearance exists between the first steering module and the second steering member. The first steering module includes a first steering member and a fastener adapted to be secured thereto. The fastener is adapted to secure the first and second steering members together.
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Balenda, II Joseph S.
Gansenhuber Thomas E.
Kincaid Jeffrey L.
Wasylewski Neil A.
American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.
Brittain James R.
Harness & Dickey & Pierce P.L.C.
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