Patent ID: 8844954
Filing Date: 2014-09-30
Classification: B62D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A steering system comprising: a steering wheel rotatable between an on-center position and an off-center position; a sector shaft having a plurality of gear teeth protruding therefrom, wherein the sector shaft has a proximal end defining a cavity therein and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal end along a central longitudinal axis, and wherein the sector shaft is rotatable about the central longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the plurality of gear teeth as the steering wheel rotates between the on-center position and the off-center position; a resilient member disposed within the cavity; a rack ball nut having a plurality of cogs extending therefrom and defining a plurality of grooves therebetween, wherein each of the plurality of gear teeth is matable with a respective one of the plurality of grooves; a lash adjuster translatable within the cavity along the central longitudinal axis; a washer sandwiched between the resilient member and the lash adjuster; a retainer disposed in contact with the lash adjuster and the sector shaft and configured for positioning the sector shaft along the central longitudinal axis as the steering wheel rotates between the on-center position and the off-center position; wherein a center one of the plurality of gear teeth meshes with a center one of the plurality of grooves to define a first gap having a first thickness between the center one of the plurality of gear teeth and one of the plurality of cogs when the steering wheel is disposed in the on-center position; wherein an outer one of the plurality of gear teeth meshes with an outer one of the plurality of grooves to define a second gap having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness between the outer one of the plurality of gear teeth and an outer one of the plurality of cogs when the steering wheel is disposed in the off-center position; and an end cap cover disposed in contact with the retainer and threadably mated to the lash adjuster, wherein the end cap cover is not rotatable about the central longitudinal axis.