US3754479A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Selective assembly power steering mechanism
Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
•
Filing: 1972-05-23
•
Granted: 1973-08-28
•
Expires: 1992-05-23
Abstract
Abstract A power steering mechanism is constructed for selective assembly so that a steering worm spindle may protrude from either end of a housing, the opposite end being sealed. The housing ends are constructed dimensionally so that interchangeable bearings and seals can be applied and either of a pair of steering worm spindles used, depending on the space into which the housing must be fitted in a vehicle. This minimizes dimensional space requirements. Similarly, either of a pair of housings may be selected, usable with either one of the aforementioned pair of spindles, thereby effecting choice of four assembly arrangements.
Inventors
- 👤 D Elser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:40
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D5/00; B62D5/06; B62D5/20; B62D5/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
A combination of members for selective assembly of a power steering device; comprising in said combination housing means effecting a pressure cylinder portion having opposed apertured ends, and also effecting a steering shaft housing portion; said latter housing portion being nearer to one said apertured end of said housing means; a steering shaft and gear sector for insertion in said latter housing portion with said steering shaft extending out of one side thereof; a pressure piston for insertion in said cylinder portion for engagement with said gear sector; selective steering worm spindles for insertion through said pressure piston and insertable into said cylinder portion through either of said apertured ends; each said steering worm spindle having a steering connecting portion to extend from said housing means; and each having a worm section to coact with said pressure piston; interchangeable closure means for the apertured ends of said cylinder portion; said apertured ends being dimensioned so that either can accommodate said interchangeable closure means dependent upon selection of the apertured end into which said steering worm spindle is inserted; said steering worm spindles differing essentially in the axial distance between the respective steering connecting portions and the respective worm thread sections; whereby a power steering device may be assembled with either steering worm spindle dependent on the distance selection between a steering connecting portion and the axis of a steering shaft in said steering shaft housing portion or between said latter axis and said nearer end of said housing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
A combination of members for selective assembly of a power steering device; comprising in said combination housing means effecting a pressure cylinder portion having opposed apertured ends, and also effecting a steering shaft housing portion; said latter housing portion being nearer to one said apertured end of said housing means; a steering shaft and gear sector for insertion in said latter housing portion with said steering shaft extending out of one side thereof; a pressure piston for insertion in said cylinder portion for engagement with said gear sector; selective steering worm spindles for insertion through said pressure piston and insertable into said cylinder portion through either of said apertured ends; each said steering worm spindle having a steering connecting portion to extend from said housing means; and each having a worm section to coact with said pressure piston; interchangeable closure means for the apertured ends of said cylinder portion; said apertured ends being dimensioned so that either can accommodate said interchangeable closure means dependent upon selection of the apertured end into which said steering worm spindle is inserted; said steering worm spindles differing essentially in the axial distance between the respective steering connecting portions and the respective worm thread sections; whereby a power steering device may be assembled with either steering worm spindle dependent on the distance selection between a steering connecting portion and the axis of a steering shaft in said steering shaft housing portion or between said latter axis and said nearer end of said housing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1, said housing means comprising a pair of housings for selective assembly in said combination; each said housing having an aperture in the respective steering shaft housing portion for a steering shaft to extend therefrom; said apertures being located so as to be on opposite sides of the respective steering shaft housing portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1, said interchangeable closure means comprising sealing means for sealing said steering worm spindle at each said apertured end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1, said sealing means comprising a closure plug and a ring seal of the same diameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
177 words
A selective assembly arrangement for a power steering device to effect predetermined external configurations, comprising a housing having a cylinder portion and a steering shaft portion offset from said cylinder portion; said cylinder portion having opposed apertured ends and interchangeable sealing means accommodatable in either apertured end for sealing a steering worm spindle; one said housing end being removable for insertion of a piston and being further from said steering shaft portion than said other end; a pair of steering worm spindles each having a connecting portion to extend from said cylinder portion, and being selectively and reversibly insertable therein so that said connecting portion can be disposed at a predetermined distance from said steering shaft housing; said steering worm spindles each having a worm section and differing in the distance from the respective connecting portion to the respective worm section so that said worm section of either steering worm spindle is medially disposed to coact with a worm nut of a pressure piston in said cylinder at neutral steering position of said piston in said cylinder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
177 words
A selective assembly arrangement for a power steering device to effect predetermined external configurations, comprising a housing having a cylinder portion and a steering shaft portion offset from said cylinder portion; said cylinder portion having opposed apertured ends and interchangeable sealing means accommodatable in either apertured end for sealing a steering worm spindle; one said housing end being removable for insertion of a piston and being further from said steering shaft portion than said other end; a pair of steering worm spindles each having a connecting portion to extend from said cylinder portion, and being selectively and reversibly insertable therein so that said connecting portion can be disposed at a predetermined distance from said steering shaft housing; said steering worm spindles each having a worm section and differing in the distance from the respective connecting portion to the respective worm section so that said worm section of either steering worm spindle is medially disposed to coact with a worm nut of a pressure piston in said cylinder at neutral steering position of said piston in said cylinder.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-27 | 1977-02-26 | 1977-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-27 | 1981-02-26 | 1981-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-27 | 1985-02-26 | 1985-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |