Delashing mechanism for fixed parallel based gear pairs

Abstract

A mechanism for de-lashing a gear assembly includes a first gear rotatable about a first axis and a first center rotatably fixed to the first axis and a first conical teeth portion. The gear assembly includes a second gear rotatable about a second axis and a second center rotatably fixed to said second axis and a second conical teeth portion configured to meshingly engage first conical teeth portion when the first and second gears are aligned substantially coplanarly. A biasing means operably biases the second conical teeth portion of the second gear against the first conical teeth portion of the first gear to reduce any lash therebetween. The biasing means is configured to bias the second gear in an axial direction while maintaining a fixed center distance between the first and second axes. The first gear is rotatably fixed about the fixed first axis such that the first gear is prevented from translation along the fixed first axis.

1 . A hand-wheel position sensor for a steering system in a vehicle comprising: 
 a housing;    a printed circuit board disposed within said housing;    a sensor operably connected to circuitry on said printed circuit board;    a gear assembly operably connected to said sensor, comprising,    a first gear rotatable about a fixed first axis, said first gear having a first center rotatably fixed to said fixed first axis such that said first gear is prevented from translation along said fixed first axis, said first gear having a first conical teeth portion;    a second gear rotatable about a second axis, said second gear having a second center rotatably fixed to said second axis and translatable in an axial direction relative to said second axis, said second gear having a second conical teeth portion configured to meshingly engage said first conical teeth portion when said first and second gears are aligned substantially coplanarly; and    a biasing means for operably biasing said second conical teeth portion of said second gear against said first conical teeth portion of said first gear to reduce any lash therebetween, and wherein said biasing means is configured to bias said second gear in an axial direction while maintaining a fixed center distance between said first and second axes.    
   
   
       2 . (canceled)  
   
   
       3 . (canceled)  
   
   
       4 . The senor of  claim 1 , wherein said second conical teeth portion is defined by a frustoconical wall defined by a top wall edge and a bottom wall edge, said bottom wall edge defining a bottom perimeter about said second axis larger than a top perimeter defining said top wall edge portion, said biasing means urging said second conical teeth portion in a direction urging said bottom wall edge of said second conical teeth portion toward facing said first conical teeth portion of said first gear.  
   
   
       5 . The sensor of  claim 4 , wherein said biasing means includes a spring washer axially disposed about said second axis, said spring washer configured to bias said bottom wall edge axially about said second axis into meshing engagement with facing first conical teeth portion of said first gear.