Volute Spring

Abstract

A volute spring for a steering system, having a stator with a fixed bearing, the stator being substantially coaxial with an axis of rotation, a rotor opposing the stator, the rotor being rotatable about the axis of rotation and the rotor being located substantially concentric with the stator and coaxial with the axis of rotation, and an axle protruding from the stator and extending through the stator, the axle cooperating with the fixed bearing, where an at least partially circumferential area of a radial section of stator is located between the axial section of the rotor and a ring associated with hollow axle, thereby axially and radially securing the rotor with respect to the stator is disclosed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment together with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an oblique exploded view of a volute spring according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is an oblique cut-away view of the volute spring of FIG. 1 shown in cooperation with a steering gear shaft.

Claims

1. A volute spring for a steering system, comprising: a stator having a fixed bearing, the stator being substantially coaxial with an axis of rotation;a rotor opposing the stator, the rotor being rotatable about the axis of rotation and the rotor being located substantially concentric with the stator and coaxial with the axis of rotation; andan axle protruding from the rotor and extending through the stator, the axle cooperating with the fixed bearing;wherein an at least partially circumferential area of a radial section of stator is located between the an axial section of the rotor and a ring associated with a hollow axle, thereby axially and radially securing the rotor with respect to the stator.

2. The volute spring according to claim 1, wherein the ring is pressed onto the axle.

3. The volute spring according to claim 1, wherein the ring is welded onto the axle.

4. The volute spring according to claim 1, wherein the ring is held in position with respect to the axle using a notch formed in the axle.

5. The volute spring according to claim 1, wherein the ring is held in position with respect to the axle using a molding formed on the axle.

6. The volute spring according to claim 1, wherein the ring is a slit snap ring arranged in a groove provided in an outer wall of the axle.

7. The volute spring according to claim 1, wherein the axle is capable of being connected to a steering gear shaft by a positive connection.

8. The volute spring according to claim 1, wherein the axle is capable of being connected to a steering gear shaft by a self-substance connection.

9. The volute spring according to claim 1, wherein a positive connection between the axle and a steering gear shaft is a pressed connection.

10. The volute spring according to claim 1, wherein a positive connection between the axle and a steering gear shaft is a crimped connection.

11. The volute spring according to claim 1, wherein a self-substance connection between the axle and a steering gear shaft is a welded joint.

12. The volute spring according to claim 1, wherein the axel is inserted into a rotor body of the rotor, each of the rotor body and the axle are substantially rotationally symmetrical, each of the rotor body and the axle have L-shaped generatrix, and the L-shaped generatrixes lie one against the other with their respective legs.

13. The volute spring according to claim 1, wherein the stator is substantially rotationally symmetrical and has an L-shaped generatrix, wherein one leg each of the L-shaped generatrix of the stator stands upright on a leg of the L-shaped generatrix of the rotor body such that a substantially torus-shaped housing cavity is formed.

14. The volute spring according to claim 13, wherein the housing cavity has a substantially rectangular generatrix.

15. The volute spring according to claim 1, further comprising: a radial collar formed on the stator and located between an axial section of stator and a radial section of rotor body.

16. The volute spring according to claim 1, wherein a rotor body is molded onto the axle.

17. The volute spring according to claim 1, wherein the axle is constructed at least partially of iron.

18. The volute spring according to claim 1, wherein the axle is constructed at least partially of aluminium.

19. A steering system, comprising: a stator having a fixed bearing, the stator being substantially coaxial with an axis of rotation;a rotor opposing the stator, the rotor being rotatable about the axis of rotation and the rotor being located substantially concentric with the stator and coaxial with the axis of rotation; andan axle protruding from the stator and extending through the stator, the axle cooperating with the fixed bearing;wherein an at least partially circumferential area of a radial section of stator is located between the an axial section of the rotor and a ring associated with a hollow axle, thereby axially and radially securing the rotor with respect to the stator.

20. The steering system according to claim 19, wherein the axle is capable of being connected to a steering shaft by a positive connection.