IP Library Granted Patent US 7,263,908
Granted Patent B2
US 7,263,908 · App. 11/154,926 · Granted Sep 4, 2007

Ball screw

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,263,908
App. No.
11/154,926
Granted
Sep 4, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

Ball screw, between the spindle nut ( 1 ) and threaded spindle ( 2 ) of which at least one ball chain ( 6, 8 ) formed from balls ( 9 ) rolls in each case along a ball channel ( 5 ) which is delimited by ball grooves ( 3, 4 ) formed on the spindle nut ( 1 ) and on the threaded spindle ( 2 ), the ball chain ( 6, 8 ) being deflected from one end of the ball channel ( 5 ) to a start of this ball channel ( 5 ) in deflection portions of the ball channel ( 5 ), one or more spring elements ( 11, 17, 27, 35 ) arranged in the ball chain ( 6, 8 ) between balls ( 9 ) of the ball chain ( 6, 8 ) exerting a pressure force on the balls ( 9 ) in the axis of the ball chain ( 6, 8 ).

Claims (8)

1. A ball screw, between the spindle nut ( 1 ) and threaded spindle ( 2 ) of which at least one ball chain ( 6 , 8 ) formed from balls ( 9 ) rolls in each case along a ball channel ( 5 ) which is delimited by ball grooves ( 3 , 4 ) formed on the spindle nut ( 1 ) and on the threaded spindle ( 2 ), the ball chain ( 6 , 8 ) being deflected from one end of the ball channel ( 5 ) to a start of this ball channel ( 5 ) in deflection portions of the ball channel ( 5 ), wherein one or more spring elements ( 11 , 17 , 27 , 35 ) arranged in the ball chain ( 8 ) between balls ( 9 ) of the ball chain ( 6 , 8 ) exert a pressure force on the balls ( 9 ) in the axis of the ball chain ( 8 ) wherein the number spring elements ( 11 , 17 , 27 , 35 ) arranged in the ball chain ( 6 , 8 ) is dimensioned such that, during an orbit of the ball chain ( 6 , 8 ), there is always one of the spring elements ( 11 , 17 , 27 , 35 ) in the deflection portion of the ball channel ( 5 ).

2. A ball screw of claim 1 , in which the spring element ( 27 , 35 ) has an intermediate-piece ( 30 ), formed from two intermediate-piece halves ( 28 , 29 ), each with a bearing surface for a ball ( 9 ), and a helical compression spring ( 32 ) which I arranged between the two intermediate-piece halves ( 28 , 29 ) and springs on the two intermediate-piece halves ( 28 , 29 ).

3. A ball screw of claim 2 , in which the intermediate-piece halves ( 28 , 29 ) are formed from plastic or from sheet metal.

4. A ball screw of claim 1 , in which the spring element ( 27 , 35 ) has an intermediate-piece ( 18 , 20 ) which is arranged between two balls ( 9 ) adjacent to one another and holds the balls ( 9 ) at a distance from one another and the arms ( 21 ) or segments ( 19 ) of which partially surround the balls ( 9 ), the arms ( 21 ) or the segments ( 19 ) being designed resiliently.

5. A ball screw of claim 1 , in which the spring element is formed by a compression spring, in particular a helical compression spring ( 12 , 23 , 26 , 32 ).

6. A ball screw of claim 5 , in which the last turns ( 13 , 14 , 24 , 25 ) lying at both ends of the helical compression spring ( 12 , 23 , 26 ) have a diameter which is smaller than the ball diameter, the last turns ( 13 , 14 , 24 , 25 ) being designed as a ball seat ( 15 , 16 , 33 , 34 ).

7. A ball screw of claim 6 , in which the helical compression spring ( 23 ) has a concave longitudinal profile, as seen in longitudinal section.

8. A ball screw of claim 1 , in which the ball chain ( 6 , 8 ) has z balls and y springs ( 23 , 26 , 12 ), z minus y intermediate-pieces ( 10 ) being provided.

Assignments (7)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PROPERTY NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037732 FRAME 0347. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE APP. NO. 14/553248 SHOULD BE APP. NO. 14/553258. Recorded Oct 11, 2016
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 040404/0530 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 5, 2016
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 037731/0834 →
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 5, 2016
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG; SCHAEFFLER VERWALTUNGS 5 GMBH
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 037732/0228 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 5, 2016
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 037732/0347 →
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 31, 2015
From: SCHAEFFLER KG; SCHAEFFLER VERWALTUNGS DREI KG
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 037407/0556 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 31, 2015
From: INA-SCHAEFFLER KG
To: SCHAEFFLER KG
Reel/Frame 037407/0407 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 16, 2005
From: OSTERLANGER, JURGEN; MAYER, RALF; MUNCK, HORST
To: INA-SCHAEFFLER KG
Reel/Frame 016719/0330 →