A gear backlash control mechanism includes a base, a worm gear pivoted to the base, a driving member, a biasing member, a driving worm set having a first shaft, a first worm and a first linkage structure jacketing the first shaft, and a driven worm set having a second shaft, a second worm axially slidable on the second shaft, and a second linkage structure fixed to the second shaft and linked to the first linkage structure. The driving member rotates the worm gear via the first shaft and the first worm and rotates the second worm via the first and second linkage structures and the second shaft. When the worm gear rotates, the first worm abuts against a first tooth surface of each tooth of the worm gear sequentially, and the biasing member pushes the second worm to abut against a second tooth surface of each tooth sequentially.

The invention relates to a method for determining shifts in position in at least two different spatial directions between a first element and a second element which are movable relative to each other, with at least two sensors which measure contactlessly and are spaced, in the at least two different spatial directions, from at least two standards which are fixed to the second element, sensor areas of the at least two sensors opposing the at least two standards in the respective spatial direction and sensing said standards, wherein: —the at least two sensors scan the at least two standards and generate, in interaction with the at least two standards, output signals with which in combination an absolute position of the second element is determined, said absolute position being associated with a linear movement in a further spatial direction or with a rotary movement, and —wherein the output signals of the at least two sensors are also used to determine values which characterise the distance between the respective sensor and the corresponding standard of the second element in the associated spatial direction, are corrected as a function of the determined absolute position of the second element, and from which the shift in position of the second element relative to the first element in the respective spatial direction is determined.

A floating bearing for a steering gear of a motor vehicle includes a rotary bearing having an inner bearing ring for receiving a screw pinion shaft of the steering gear, and an outer bearing ring built into a bearing sleeve. The bearing sleeve interacts with a guiding element, which interacts with a holding element, such that the bearing sleeve moves relative to the holding element in a first direction oriented radially to the longitudinal axis of the bearing sleeve when the screw pinion shaft is not loaded with torque, and relative movement is prevented when the screw pinion shaft is loaded with torque by moving the bearing sleeve in relation to the holding element in a second direction that is oriented radially to the longitudinal axis and perpendicularly to the first direction, whereby the guiding element is tilted in a guiding opening of the holding element or the bearing sleeve.

A floating bearing for a steering gear of a motor vehicle includes a rotary bearing having an inner bearing ring for receiving a screw pinion shaft of the steering gear, and an outer bearing ring built into a bearing sleeve. The bearing sleeve interacts with a guiding element, which interacts with a holding element, such that the bearing sleeve moves relative to the holding element in a first direction oriented radially to the longitudinal axis of the bearing sleeve when the screw pinion shaft is not loaded with torque, and relative movement is prevented when the screw pinion shaft is loaded with torque by moving the bearing sleeve in relation to the holding element in a second direction that is oriented radially to the longitudinal axis and perpendicularly to the first direction, whereby the guiding element is tilted in a guiding opening of the holding element or the bearing sleeve.

A bearing arrangement may be used to mount a worm shaft meshing with a worm wheel in a housing of an electromechanical power steering system. The bearing arrangement comprises a first rotary bearing, a second rotary bearing, and a pivoting ring. The first rotary bearing is configured to permit a pivoting movement of the worm shaft. The pivoting ring comprises a first pivoting ring component and a second pivoting ring component and is configured to act resiliently between the second rotary bearing and the housing. The second rotary bearing is at least partially arranged between the first pivoting ring component and the second pivoting ring component. The first pivoting ring component has two first points, with respect to which the first pivoting ring component is configured resiliently. The second pivoting ring component has two second points, with respect to which the second pivoting ring component is configured resiliently.

A bearing arrangement may be used to mount a worm shaft meshing with a worm wheel in a housing of an electromechanical power steering system. The bearing arrangement comprises a first rotary bearing, a second rotary bearing, and a pivoting ring. The first rotary bearing is configured to permit a pivoting movement of the worm shaft. The pivoting ring comprises a first pivoting ring component and a second pivoting ring component and is configured to act resiliently between the second rotary bearing and the housing. The second rotary bearing is at least partially arranged between the first pivoting ring component and the second pivoting ring component. The first pivoting ring component has two first points, with respect to which the first pivoting ring component is configured resiliently. The second pivoting ring component has two second points, with respect to which the second pivoting ring component is configured resiliently.

A motor-driven power steering system for a vehicle is configured such that movement of the worm shaft and a clearance caused by backlash between the worm wheel and the worm shaft may be prevented using the bearing-integrated damper bush which is coupled to the end portion of the worm shaft and is made of steel, and during of rotation of the worm shaft, the lubricant is supplied between the worm shaft and the bearing-integrated damper bush to facilitate lubrication and cooling.

A motor-driven power steering system for a vehicle is configured such that movement of the worm shaft and a clearance caused by backlash between the worm wheel and the worm shaft may be prevented using the bearing-integrated damper bush which is coupled to the end portion of the worm shaft and is made of steel, and during of rotation of the worm shaft, the lubricant is supplied between the worm shaft and the bearing-integrated damper bush to facilitate lubrication and cooling.

A worm gear for an electromechanical power steering system of a motor vehicle, includes a worm shaft that meshes with a worm wheel. The worm wheel and the worm shaft are arranged together in a gear housing. An eccentric lever and a bimetallic spring that is operatively connected to the eccentric lever are configured to compensate for a temperature-related play in the engagement between the worm wheel and the worm shaft.

A worm gear for an electromechanical power steering system of a motor vehicle, includes a worm shaft that meshes with a worm wheel. The worm wheel and the worm shaft are arranged together in a gear housing. An eccentric lever and a bimetallic spring that is operatively connected to the eccentric lever are configured to compensate for a temperature-related play in the engagement between the worm wheel and the worm shaft.