Power steering assembly having a compensation mechanism

Abstract

A bearing adjustment assembly includes a worm engaged with a worm gear. The assembly also includes a worm bearing located proximate an end of the worm. The assembly further includes a compensation mechanism engaging the worm bearing, the compensation mechanism being adjustable to bias the worm bearing to maintain or adjust a gear mesh load between the worm gear and the worm.

Having thus described the invention, it is claimed: 
     
         1 . A power steering assembly comprising:
 a housing;   a worm gear disposed within in the housing, the worm gear being rotatable about a first axis;   a worm at least partially disposed in the housing, the worm being arranged to engage the worm gear and rotate about a second axis;   a first worm bearing disposed proximate a first end of the worm;   a second worm bearing disposed proximate a second end of the worm; and   a compensation mechanism disposed within the housing and engaging the first worm bearing, the compensation mechanism being adjustable to bias the first worm bearing to maintain or adjust a gear mesh load between the worm gear and the worm.   
     
     
         2 . The power steering assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the housing defines a spring bore, the power steering assembly further comprising a spring located within the spring bore and engaged with the compensation mechanism, the compression of the spring adjusting the compensation mechanism biasing of the first worm bearing. 
     
     
         3 . The power steering assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the spring bore is perpendicular to the second axis. 
     
     
         4 . The power steering assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the compensation mechanism is a single, integrally formed component. 
     
     
         5 . The power steering assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the compensation mechanism slides within a housing slot parallel to the spring bore to adjust the first worm bearing. 
     
     
         6 . A bearing adjustment assembly comprising:
 a worm engaged with a worm gear;   a worm bearing located proximate an end of the worm; and   a compensation mechanism engaging the worm bearing, the compensation mechanism being adjustable to bias the worm bearing to maintain or adjust a gear mesh load between the worm gear and the worm.   
     
     
         7 . The bearing adjustment assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the compensation mechanism is adjusted with a spring. 
     
     
         8 . The bearing adjustment assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the worm, the worm gear and the compensation mechanism are at least partially located within a housing, the housing defining a spring bore that the spring is positioned within. 
     
     
         9 . The bearing adjustment assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the spring bore is oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the worm. 
     
     
         10 . The bearing adjustment assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the compensation mechanism is a single, integrally formed component. 
     
     
         11 . The bearing adjustment assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the compensation mechanism slides within a housing slot parallel to the spring bore to adjust the first worm bearing.