GB929157A - Improvements relating to steering gear - Google Patents

Abstract

929,157. Steering-gear. DAIMLER-BENZ A.G. Feb. 23, 1962 [Feb. 25, 1961]. No. 7217/62. Class 79(5) In a worm and nut steering mechanism a nut 13 (Fig. 1) which engages a threaded steering shaft 11 by means of recirculatory balls has mounted thereon a pin 14 carrying two ball or roller bearings 18, 19, and a forked arm 20 on a steering arm shaft 21 has two contact surfaces 22, 23 disposed on either side of the pin 14, only one surface 22, 23 being in contact with each bearing 18, 19 so that during steering movements the bearing may run freely but without backlash. The surfaces 22, 23 and the contacting surfaces of the bearings 18, 19 are conical with an inclination of 10-18 degrees which approximates to the angle of friction between the surfaces. A spring 40 is interposed between an adjustable nut 27 and the bearing 18 to press the contacting surfaces firmly together and to compensate for wear. Alternatively the conical surfaces may have their apices directed away from one another with a spring located between the bearings and preferably with a forked arm of divided construction. A roller 15 on the pin 14 engages a guideway 16 which may be parallel to the steering shaft 11, inclined relative thereto or curved to provide desired steering characteristics. In another construction (Figs. 2, 4) the contact surfaces of the forked arm 20 and of two double-row ball bearings 28, 29 each with two separate inner races are inclined in the same direction and the surfaces are pressed firmly together by a spring 33 provided with an adjustable abutment 37 and acting on the steering-arm shaft 21 through a pot 36.