WO2020076216A1

WO2020076216A1 - Anti anti-backlash gear arrangement and a gear, powertrain and vehicle comprising such an arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2020076216A1
Application number: PCT/SE2019/050947
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefan Fors
Original assignee: Scania Cv Ab
Priority date: 2018-10-08
Filing date: 2019-10-02
Publication date: 2020-04-16
Also published as: BR112021005797A2; DE112019004402B4; DE112019004402T5; SE542959C2; SE1851223A1; BR112021005797B1

Abstract

The invention relates to an anti-backlash gear arrangement (1) for use in a gear drive, said anti-backlash gear arrangement comprising a main gear (2), wherein a biasing arrangement (6) is arranged to act on the anti-backlash gear (4) towards an off-set position with respect to the main gear (2), in which secondary teeth (5) the anti-backlash gear (4) are off-set with respect to the main gear teeth (3), said biasing arrangement (6) including a first set of apertures (7) arranged in either the main gear (2) or the anti-backlash gear (4), a second set of apertures (8) arranged in the other of the main gear (2) and the anti-backlash gear (4), and biasing units (9), each comprising a first, pin-like end (10) that is tightly fitted inside an aperture of the first set of apertures (7), and a second, resilient end (11) comprising a radially compressible metal spring element (12) arranged to act against an inside surface (13) of an aperture of the second set of apertures (8) to thereby act on the anti-backlash gear (4) towards an off-set position with respect to the main gear (2).

Description

ANTI ANTI-BACKLASH GEAR ARRANGEMENT AND A GEAR, POWERTRAIN AND VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an anti-backlash gear arrangement for use in a gear drive.

Specifically, the invention relates to an improved anti-backlash gear arrangement with a more controlled function and a better reliability over time. The invention also relates to a gear, a powertrain and a vehicle including such an anti-backlash gear arrangement.

BACKGROUND

In the automotive industry gear arrangements are widely used, inter alia in powertrains transmitting a rotational movement from a motor to a drive means, such as wheels.

A commonly used gear arrangement is comprised of meshing gears, typically spur gears, arranged to interact with each other. A gear generally consists of a cylinder or a disc with radially extending teeth arranged to be in meshing contact with the teeth of another gear.

In the interaction between gears there is typically a play between the meshing teeth that may produce an undesired noise. This is because the driving of the gear may be at least partly intermittent but also due to that the gap between two adjacent teeth needs to be greater than the width of the tooth arranged to be received within said gap. The oversized gap is inter alia necessary to avoid jamming of the gears. The play thus formed between mating teeth may be referred to as a lash or backlash.

It is desired to keep this backlash to a minimum, without jeopardizing the function of the gears. A commonly used solution is an anti-backlash gear, also known as a scissors gear. The anti-backlash gear involves a secondary gear that is biased into contact with the back side, i.e. the inactive side, of the teeth. This biasing contact will force the active parts of the teeth to remain in contact to thereby increase the efficiency of the gearing and, at the same time, decrease its noise level.

In an anti-backlash gear, resilient means are arranged to provide a biasing effect that will strive to keep the anti-backlash gear off-set with respect to the main gear so as to fill the gap of a mating gear. Thereby, the front of the teeth of the main gear remains in contact with corresponding front of the teeth of the mating gear. The resilient means may be comprised of a centrally arranged spring. Also, in one conventional prior art embodiment a plurality of pins with rubber tubes or rings are arranged symmetrically around the centre of the main gear and the anti-backlash gear. The inherent resilience of the rubber acts to push the main gear and the anti-backlash gear into an off-set position with respect to each other.

In the international publication WO 2013/1904458 A1 an alternative arrangement is provided, in which leaf-like springs are arranged to provide the desired biasing effect.

This is however a relatively complex arrangement in which slits need to be provided in the gear to hold the leaf-like springs and a screw arrangement is arranged to retain each leaf-like spring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is a need of an arrangement that is easier to install, and/or implies less machining to implement and that is reliable over time.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved anti-backlash arrangement with respect to the prior art, which provides an anti-backlash function that is reliable over time.

According to a first aspect the invention relates to an anti-backlash gear arrangement for use in a gear drive, said anti-backlash gear arrangement comprising:

a main gear with radially protruding gear teeth, and

a anti-backlash gear with radially protruding secondary teeth, said anti-backlash gear configured to be co-axially arranged around a common axis with the main gear and configured to be angularly displaceable with respect to said main gear, wherein a biasing arrangement is arranged to act on the anti-backlash gear towards an off-set position with respect to the main gear, in which the secondary teeth are off-set with respect to the main gear teeth, said biasing arrangement including:

a first set of apertures arranged in either the main gear or the anti-backlash gear,

a second set of apertures arranged in the other of the main gear and the anti backlash gear, and

biasing units, each biasing unit comprising a first, pin-like end that is arranged to be attached inside an aperture of the first set of apertures, and a second, resilient end comprising a radially compressible metal spring element arranged to act against an inside surface of an aperture of the second set of apertures to thereby act on the anti backlash gear towards an off-set position with respect to the main gear.

An advantage of the inventive arrangement with respect to an arrangement with rubber rings or tubes is that is more feasible to provide a metal spring element with a desired resiliency than it is for a corresponding rubber element. The rubber may easily be too stiff, and/or it may have a too slow expansion rate from a compressed state producing an unwanted hysteresis effect. With a metal spring such properties are more easily custom made, and more reliable over time.

In embodiments of the invention the first, pin-like ends of the biasing units are configured to be attached by press fitting inside the second set of apertures. This allows for the biasing unit to be implemented and fastened without the use of specific fastening means. The outside surface of the pin-like end or the inside surface of the second set of apertures may be rugged in order to further improve the attachment. The rugged surface may inter alia be accomplished by machining or by abrasive interaction with a sand paper or the like.

In embodiments of the invention the first set of apertures have a cylindrical portion that extends over a major part of its length, specifically more than 75% or preferably more than 90% of its length, wherein the pin-like end of each biasing unit has a corresponding length and is configured to bear against the inside surface of an aperture of the first set of apertures over a major part of the length of said pin-like end, specifically more than 75% or preferably more than 90% of the length of said pin-like end. Further, the pin-like end of each biasing unit is configured to bear against the inside surface of an aperture of the first set of apertures over a major part of the length of the cylindrical portion of said aperture specifically more than 75% or preferably more than 90% of the length of said cylindrical portion.

In embodiments of the invention the second set of apertures have a cylindrical portion that extends over a major part of the length of said aperture, specifically more than 75% or preferably more than 90% of its length, wherein the resilient end of each biasing unit has a corresponding length and is configured to bear against the inside surface of an aperture of the second set of apertures over a major part of the length of said resilient end, specifically more than 75% or preferably more than 90% of the length of said resilient end. Further, the resilient end of each biasing unit is configured to bear against the inside surface of an aperture of the second set of apertures over a major part of the length of the cylindrical portion of said aperture, specifically more than 75% or preferably more than 90% of the length of said cylindrical portion.

The term“corresponding length” used above and in other parts of this specification is to be construed as that a corresponding length is similar to the compared length and specifically that the compared lengths have a deviation of less than 15% with respect to each other.

The length of the interface between the apertures and the respective ends of the biasing units will improve the mechanical properties of the attachment and minimise the generation of shear forces. This may be particularly important in the interface between the resilient ends and the second set of apertures.

In embodiments of the invention each biasing unit is made of one integral piece of metal.

The first, pin-like end of each biasing unit may be comprised of a first sheet steel portion bent at least half a lap, and the second, resilient end of each biasing unit may be comprised of a second, longer sheet steel portion bent at least a full lap.

In embodiments of the invention each biasing unit is comprised of a pin arranged to extend into both an aperture of the first set of apertures and into an aperture of the second set of apertures, said pin being arranged to fit tightly inside said aperture of the first set of apertures, wherein said radially compressible metal spring element is a separate part that is arranged around the pin inside said aperture of the second set of apertures to act on the pin towards a centre of said aperture of the second set of apertures.

In embodiments of the invention the metal spring element is comprised of a petal-shaped, cylindrical element comprising a plurality of distal portions, a plurality of proximal portions, and radial web portions arranged to connect the distal and radial portions to each other, the proximal portions are arranged to lie against the pin that forms the pin-like end, and the distal portions are arranged to abut the inside surface of an aperture of the second set of apertures.

In embodiments of the invention the first set of apertures are cylindrical having a first diameter and the second set of apertures are cylindrical having a second diameter being greater than the first diameter, wherein the respective axes of the first set of apertures and the second set of apertures are arranged off-set with respect to each other, and wherein the radially compressible metal spring element is symmetric and arranged to act to push said respective axes towards each other.

According to a second and a third aspect the invention relates to a gearbox and a powertrain, respectively, that comprises an anti-backlash gear arrangement as described above. According to a fourth aspect the invention relates to a vehicle that comprises an anti backlash gear arrangement as described above.

Other embodiments and advantages will be apparent from the detailed description and the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Below, specific embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the appended drawings, of which;

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of an anti-backlash gear arrangement,

Figs. 2-3 are perspective views of a biasing unit according to a first embodiment,

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the anti-backlash gear arrangement of fig. 1 ,

Fig. 5 is a side view of the anti-backlash gear arrangement of fig. 1 ,

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the anti-backlash gear arrangement taken along the line

VI-VI in fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a vehicle according to a second aspect of the invention,

Fig. 8 shows a second embodiment of an anti-backlash gear arrangement,

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the anti-backlash gear arrangement of fig. 8,

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a biasing unit according to the second embodiment, and

Fig. 1 1 is an exploded view of the anti-backlash gear arrangement of fig. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOWN EMBODIMENTS

In fig. 1 an anti-backlash gear arrangement according to a first embodiment is shown. The shown anti-backlash gear arrangement 1 is intended for use in a gear drive. It comprises a main gear 2 with radially protruding gear teeth 3, and an anti-backlash gear 4 with radially protruding secondary teeth 5. The anti-backlash gear 4 is co-axially arranged around a common axis with the main gear 2 and is angularly displaceable with respect to said main gear 2. A biasing arrangement is arranged to act on the anti-backlash gear 4 towards an off-set position with respect to the main gear 2, In the off-set position the secondary teeth 5 are off-set with respect to the gear teeth 3 of the main gear. The off-set position between the first and secondary teeth 3 and 5 is illustrated by the gap 3’-5’ in fig. 1. This relatively small off-set position will make sure that a gap between two teeth of a mating gear (not shown) is filled without play. Hence, when a leading side of a tooth 3 of the main gear 2 is in contact with a first side of the gap between two teeth of the mating gear, a trailing side of the secondary teeth 5 of the anti-backlash gear 4 will be in contact with the opposed side of the gap between two teeth of the mating gear. Thereby, contact will not be lost between the leading side of a tooth 3 of the main gear 2 and the tooth of a mating gear during operation.

Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of an anti-backlash gear arrangement with biasing units 9 in accordance with the first embodiment. The main gear 2 comprises a sleeve portion 6, of which the inner surface is arranged to be located around a shaft. The sleeve portion 6 extends axially out from the main gear 2 and provides a hub-like support for the anti backlash gear 4, said anti-backlash gear 4 having in inner diameter that corresponds to the outer diameter of the sleeve portion 6 such that the anti-backlash gear 4 will fit tightly around and be supported by the sleeve portion 6 in a slidable manner so as to allow mutual rotation between the main gear 2 and the anti-backlash gear 4.

As illustrated in fig. 4 the biasing arrangement includes a first set of apertures 7 arranged in either the main gear 2 or the anti-backlash gear 4, and a second set of apertures 8 arranged in the other of the main gear 2 and the anti-backlash gear 4. In the shown embodiment the first set of apertures 7 are arranged in the main gear 2 and the second set of apertures 8 are arranged in the anti-backlash gear 4.

The biasing arrangement further includes biasing units 9, of which a first embodiment is shown in figures 2 and 3. Each biasing unit 9 comprises a first, pin-like end 10 that is arranged to be tightly fitted inside an aperture of the first set of apertures 7, and a second, resilient end 1 1 comprising a radially compressible metal spring element 12 arranged to act against an inside surface 13 of an aperture of the second set of apertures 8. Thereby, the metal spring element 12 will act on the anti-backlash gear 4 towards an off-set position with respect to the main gear 2.

In the shown embodiment each biasing unit 9 is made of one integral piece of metal. It comprises a first, pin-like end 10 comprised of a first sheet steel portion bent at least half a lap, and a second, resilient end 1 1 comprised of a second, longer sheet steel portion bent at least a full lap. In the shown embodiment the first sheet steel portion of the first, pin-like end 10 has the shape of a spiral wound approximately two laps. The second, resilient end 1 1 has the shape of a spiral wound more than two laps, typically about four laps, said spiral forming a metal spring element 12 of the first embodiment. Both the first, pin-like end 10 and the second, resilient end 1 1 are cylindrical to such a degree that they have a similar cross section over their respective full lengths.

In the shown embodiment both the first, pin-like end 10 and the second, resilient end 1 1 are somewhat elastic, the second, resilient end 1 1 of course having a higher elasticity. The elasticity of the first, pin-like end 10 needs to be limited. Namely, preferably, the first, pin-like end 10 is tight fitted inside an aperture of the first set of apertures 7. Hence, in order for the pin-like end 10 to be retained inside said aperture the radial force exerted by said pin-like end 10 towards the inside surface 13 of said aperture needs to be sufficiently high. The interaction between the first, pin-like end 10 and the inside surface 13 of said aperture should not be elastic in such a meaning that the first, pin-like end 10 will yield to the forces exerted on the biasing unit 9. Instead, the resiliency of the metal spring element 12 will handle such forces, said metal spring element 12 being designed to yield towards a position where the first set of apertures 7 are positioned off-set with respect to the second set of apertures 8 at least up to a point where the teeth of the main gear 2 and anti-backlash gear 4, respectively, are in line with each other.

In a not shown alternative embodiment the pin-like end 10 is a solid part, i.e. a cylindrical part arranged to be press fitted inside an aperture of the first set of apertures 7. The second, resilient end 1 1 may in such an embodiment be an integral part comprised of a cylindrical helicoidal spring, preferably machined from the same piece of metal as the pin like end 10.

In fig. 5 the anti-backlash gear arrangement 1 is shown from the side of the anti-backlash gear 4, wherein the main gear teeth 3 may be spotted in an off-set position behind the teeth 5 of the anti-backlash gear 4. Biasing units 9 of the type shown in figs. 2-3 are arranged in the respective apertures of the gears.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of fig. 5. In this view it is apparent that the first set of apertures 7 are cylindrical and have a first diameter d1 and that the second set of apertures 8 are cylindrical and have a second diameter d2, which is greater than the first diameter d1. The respective axes of the first set of apertures 7 and the second set of apertures 8 are arranged off-set with respect to each other, and the radially compressible metal spring element 12 is symmetric and arranged to act to push said respective axes towards each other, thereby pushing the respective teeth 3 and 5 of the gears 2 and 4 to an off-set position with respect to each other.

Hence, the rotational orientation of the metal spring element 12 does not affect its functional resiliency during operation. Regardless of its orientation the metal spring element 12 will act to keep the pin concentrically located with respect the axis of the aperture of the second set of apertures 8 in which it is located.

In the shown embodiments both the first and the second set of apertures 7 and 8, respectively, are comprised of through holes reaching through the respective gear 2 and 4, respectively. The apertures may however comprise abutments in the form of shoulders or a solid wall in order to keep the biasing units at place inside them. In the shown embodiment the first set of apertures 7 have a cylindrical inside surface 13 inside which the pin-like end 10 is attached, preferably by press fitting. They may also be screwed. Specifically, the first set of apertures 7 could comprise threads arranged to receive a mating thread provided on the pin-like end 10 of the biasing unit 9. The second set of apertures 8 have a cylindrical inside surface 14 inside which the metal spring element 12 is arranged to exert a force extending radially outwards against a substantial length of the cylindrical portion of said aperture, i.e. not only an annular portion thereof.

As is apparent from the embodiments shown in figs. 6 and 9 both the first set of apertures 7 and second set of apertures 8 are cylindrical and of similar lengths. The pin-like end 10 of each biasing unit 9 has substantially the same length as the apertures of the first set of apertures 7 and is arranged to bear against the inside surface 13 of an aperture of the first set of apertures 7 over a major part of the length of said pin-like end 10. Preferably, the pin-like end 10 bears against the inside surface 13 over more than 75% of its length, more preferably over more than 90% of its length. It may however also be arranged to bear against the inside surface 13 at circumferential portions located a part from each other, wherein the distance between their respective outer portions is more than 75% of the length of the pin-like end 10, more preferably over more than 90% of said length

Likewise, the metal spring element 12 of the resilient end of each biasing unit 9 has substantially the same length as the apertures of the second set of apertures 8 and is arranged to bear against the inside surface 14 of such an aperture 8 over a major part of the length of said metal spring element 12. Preferably, the metal spring element 12 bears against the inside surface 13 over more than 75% of its length, more preferably over more than 90% of its length. In fig. 7 an embodiment according to a second aspect the invention is shown in the form of a vehicle 100, said vehicle comprising an anti-backlash gear arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention. The anti-backlash gear arrangement is, however, applicable also in other technical fields, including other kinds of transportation means, such as air and water crafts. The invention is also applicable in fixed installations provided with a motor and a gear box or gears.

Fig. 7 schematically depicts a powertrain of an exemplary vehicle 100. The powertrain comprises a power source 101 , which in the present example is exemplified by an internal combustion engine, which, in a conventional manner, is connected via an output shaft of the power source 101 , via a flywheel 102, to a gearbox 103 via a clutch 106. The gearbox 103 contains an anti-backlash gear arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention. The vehicle may also include anti-backlash gear arrangements at other locations of the vehicle than in the gearbox, especially along the powertrain in the transmission of rotating movement between mating gears.

An output shaft 107 from the gearbox 103 propels drive wheels 1 13, 1 14 via a final gear 108, such as a common differential, and half shafts 104, 105 connected to said final gear 108. The final gear 108 may include an anti-backlash gear arrangement according to the invention. The power source 101 is controlled by the vehicle control system via a control unit 1 15, and similarly the clutch and gearbox may be controlled by a control unit 1 16, which may automatically perform changes of gears. If the power source is a combustion engine an exhaust pipe 109 is arranged to exhaust combustion gases from said motor via a catalytic converter 1 10, and preferably a particle filter.

Fig. 7, consequently, illustrates a powertrain of a specific kind, but the invention is applicable in any kind of powertrain involving power source such as an internal combustion engine, an electric engine, or both.

In figures 8-1 1 the anti-backlash gear arrangement is shown with biasing units 9 in accordance with a second embodiment. In the second embodiment each biasing unit 9 is comprised of a pin arranged to extend into both an aperture of the first set of apertures 7 and into an aperture of the second set of apertures 8. A first end of the pin constitutes the pin-like end 10 of the biasing unit 9 and is arranged to be attached, e.g. by press fitting, inside said aperture of the first set of apertures 7. It may also be screwed or riveted. In this second embodiment the radially compressible metal spring element 12 is comprised of a separate part that is to be arranged around the pin inside said aperture of the second set of apertures 8. The radially compressible metal spring element 12 is arranged to act on the pin to keep the first set of apertures 7 and the second set of apertures 8 in line with each other.

As is illustrated in figure 9. the first set of apertures 7 are cylindrical and have a first diameter d1 and the second set of apertures 8 are cylindrical and have a second diameter d2, which is greater than the first diameter d1. The respective axes of the first set of apertures 7 and the second set of apertures 8 are arranged off-set with respect to each other, and the radially compressible metal spring element 12 is symmetric and arranged to act to push said respective axes towards each other, thereby pushing the respective teeth 3 and 5 of the gears 2 and 4 to an off-set position with respect to each other.

Hence, for this embodiment as well as for the embodiment shown in figs. 1 -6, the biasing function of the metal spring element 12 is independent of its rotational orientation.

Regardless of its orientation the metal spring element 12 will act to keep the pin concentrically located with respect to the axis of the aperture of the second set of apertures 8 in which it is located.

As illustrated in figure 10, the metal spring element 12 of the second embodiment is comprised of a petal-shaped, cylindrical element. Specifically, the metal spring element 12 comprises a plurality of distal portions 15, a plurality of proximal portions 16, and radial web portions 17 which are arranged to connect the distal and radial portions to each other. The proximal portions 16 are arranged to lie against the pin that forms the pin-like end 10 of the second embodiment, and the distal portions 15 are arranged to abut the inside surface 13 of an aperture of the second set of apertures 8. In the shown embodiment the metal spring element 12 comprises four distal portions 15, four proximal portions 16, and eight radial web portions 17 connecting them. Alternatively, the metal spring element 12 may have fewer, or more, distal and proximal portions 15 and 16. The radial web portions 17 are arranged to provide resiliency. Hence, the web portions 17 are preferably arranged to extend in in a slightly inclined direction with respect to the radial direction from the pin towards the surrounding inside surface 13 of one of the apertures of the second set of apertures 8.

Above, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. The invention is however not limited to these embodiments. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1 . An anti-backlash gear arrangement (1 ) for use in a gear drive, said anti-backlash gear arrangement comprising:

a main gear (2) with radially protruding gear teeth (3), and

a anti-backlash gear (4) with radially protruding secondary teeth (5), said anti backlash gear (4) configured to be co-axially arranged around a common axis with the main gear (2) and configured to be angularly displaceable with respect to said main gear (2), wherein a biasing arrangement is arranged to act on the anti-backlash gear (4) towards an off-set position with respect to the main gear (2), in which the secondary teeth (5) are off-set with respect to the gear teeth (3) of the main gear, said biasing arrangement including:

a first set of apertures (7) arranged in either the main gear (2) or the anti backlash gear (4),

a second set of apertures (8) arranged in the other of the main gear (2) and the anti-backlash gear (4), and

biasing units (9), each biasing unit (9) comprising a first, pin-like end (10) that is arranged to be attached inside an aperture of the first set of apertures (7), and a second, resilient end (1 1 ) comprising a radially compressible metal spring element (12) arranged to act against an inside surface (13) of an aperture of the second set of apertures (8).

2. The anti-backlash gear arrangement (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the first, pin like ends (10) of the biasing units (9) are configured to be attached by press fitting inside the second set of apertures (8).

3. The anti-backlash gear arrangement (1 ) according to either of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first set of apertures (7) have a cylindrical portion of a specific length, wherein the pin-like end (10) of each biasing unit (9) has a length that corresponds to said specific length and is configured to bear against the inside surface (13) of an aperture of the first set of apertures (7) over a major part of said specific length of said pin-like end (10).

4. The anti-backlash gear arrangement (1 ) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the second set of apertures (8) have a cylindrical portion of a specific length, and wherein the resilient end (1 1 ) of each biasing unit (9) has a length that corresponds to said specific length and is arranged to bear against the inside surface (14) of an aperture of the second set of apertures (8) over a major part of said specific length of said resilient end (1 1 ).

5. The anti-backlash gear arrangement (1 ) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein each biasing unit (9) is made of one integral piece of metal.

6. The anti-backlash gear arrangement (1 ) according to claim 5, wherein the first, pin like end (10) of each biasing unit (9) is comprised of a first sheet steel portion bent at least half a lap, and wherein the second, resilient end (1 1 ) of each biasing unit (9) is comprised of a second, longer sheet steel portion bent at least a full lap.

7. The anti-backlash gear arrangement (1 ) according to anyone of the claims 1 -4,

wherein each biasing unit (9) is comprised of a pin arranged to extend into both an aperture of the first set of apertures (7) and into an aperture of the second set of apertures (8), said pin being arranged to fit tightly inside said aperture of the first set of apertures (7), and wherein said radially compressible metal spring element (12) is a separate element that is arranged around the pin inside said aperture of the second set of apertures (8) to act on the pin towards a centre of said aperture of the second set of apertures (8).

8. The anti-backlash gear arrangement (1 ) according to claim 7, wherein the metal spring element (12) is comprised of a petal-shaped, cylindrical element comprising a plurality of distal portions (15), a plurality of proximal portions (16), and radial web portions (17) arranged to connect the distal and radial portions to each other, the proximal portions (16) are arranged to lie against the pin that forms the pin-like end (10), and the distal portions (15) are arranged to abut the inside surface (13) of an aperture of the second set of apertures (8).

9. The anti-backlash gear arrangement (1 ) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the first set of apertures (7) are cylindrical having a first diameter (d1 ) and the second set of apertures (8) are cylindrical having a second diameter (d2) being greater than the first diameter (d1 ), and wherein the respective axes of the first set of apertures (7) and the second set of apertures (8) are arranged off-set with respect to each other, and wherein the radially compressible metal spring element (12) is symmetric and arranged to act to push said respective axes towards each other.

10. A gearbox (103) for a vehicle characterised in that the gearbox (103) comprises an anti-backlash gear arrangement (1 ) according to anyone of the preceding claims.

1 1 . A powertrain for a vehicle, comprising a power source (101 ) and a gear box (103) characterised in that the gear box (103) comprises an anti-backlash gear

arrangement (1 ) according to anyone of the claims 1 -9.

12. A vehicle characterised in that it comprises an anti-backlash gear arrangement (1 ) according to anyone of the claims 1 -9.