Machine element or mechanism – Gearing – Directly cooperating gears
Patent
1984-05-29
1986-09-30
Dorner, Kenneth J.
Machine element or mechanism
Gearing
Directly cooperating gears
74498, 74396, F16H 104, F16H 3506, B62D 120
Patent
active
046141278
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Steering gear of the kind described herein have heretofore been known, for example, in German OS 30 13 855. In the patent disclosure there is a steering nut rotated by a steering spindle for effecting an axial movement of a gear rack engaging a pinion sector on a shaft connecting with the front of a vehicle through a steering rod system. In order to adjust the teeth of the pinion sector with those of the rack, bearing bushings are used in an eccentric mount whereby rotation of the bushings adjusts the sector shaft for optional tooth engagement of the pinion with the rack. Subsequent to such adjustment, annular gaps between the housing and the bearing bushings are filled with a hardening liquid plastic to set the pinion sector shaft permanently in position. Cap members are secured by rings screwed to the housing.
Accordingly, the arrangement effects a solid support of the bearing bushings fixedly so as to absorb forces experienced on the sector shaft in the course of steering operation and driving of the vehicle.
The mode of securing the bearing bushings in adjusted position is reversible, that is, the bearing bushings can be loosened in order to replace sealing rings or roller bearings, but this can be accomplished only with a considerable expenditure of labor. Further, upon such loosening for the described purposes, reassembly requires rotation of the bearing bushings for readjustment once again.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The invention described herein is so constructed as to be economically favorable in manufacture, and once the adjustments have been made for proper positioning of the sector shaft, then disassembly can be made with reassembly not requiring any new adjustment.
The particular construction involves the use of bearing bushings having a circular exterior which is non-concentric to the bore through which the sector shaft passes at each end of the shaft. The bearing bushings are carried in housing bores. Each such bushing, although of substantial body, has an extending rim or skirt thinned so that it can be radially deformed in any small portion around its periphery by means of a hammer or chisel.
The housing bores which carry the bearing bushings are provided with one or more notches into which a small portion of the skirt may be forcibly deformed after adjustment of the sector shaft has been made for optional tooth contact. In such manner, the bearing bushings are secured against any further rotation and the sector shaft is radially locked in place. Axial securing of the bearing bushings and those of the sector shaft is effected by split lock washers sometimes referred to as horseshoe clips. Thus, the clips are of conventional construction and applied or removed in a well known manner in order to remove the bearing bushings for servicing by seal replacement, etc. Reassembly requires only aligning the deformations in the bearing bushing skirts with the notches into which they were locked and pressing the bearing bushings into the respective housing bores. Accordingly, no repeat adjustment is necessary.
The invention will now be explained in detail in conjunction with the appended drawing, in which
FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a servo steering housing of the housing portion which has the sector shaft,
FIG. 2 is a section on the line II--II of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary end view showing a deformed portion of the thinned ring or skirt of a bearing bushing in locking engagement in a notch of the housing which carries the bushing.
Referring to the drawing, a steering housing 1 is shown having an operating power piston 2 with an integral rack having teeth 2A and which rack will be understood to be part of a conventional steering assembly comprising a steering nut and being shiftable in the housing. Thus, the piston 2 moves axially upon rotation of a steering spindle, as will be understood. Likewise of conventional construction, the rack teeth 2A engage the teeth 3 of a pinion sector on shaft 4.
The invention provides mounting of th
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patent: 4224833 (1980-09-01), Jablonsky
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patent: 4369669 (1983-01-01), Allen
Bednarek Michael D.
Dorner Kenneth J.
Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG.
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