SERVOUNTERSTÜTZUNGSANORDNUNG

Abstract

Servo support arrangement (34), comprising: a housing (44) with a drive shaft section (48) extending between a pair of connecting ends (90) spaced apart along an axis (B) to accommodate a provided steering rack (75); and a cuff assembly (86) which is connected to at least one of the connecting ends (90), wherein the cuff assembly (86) comprises: an extension sleeve (94) which is functionally connected to the connecting end (90); a sleeve (96) that is functionally connected to the extension sleeve (94) and is spaced from the connecting end (90) of the housing (44) by at least one section of the length of the extension sleeve (94); and a cuff retaining ring (118) which is functionally connected to the cuff sleeve (96).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to vehicle steering systems and, more particularly, to a power assist assembly and a method of assembling the power assist assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] A vehicle, such as a passenger car, truck, sport utility vehicle, crossover, minivan, personal watercraft, aircraft, off-road vehicle, recreational vehicle, or other suitable vehicles, has various steering system schemes, such as steer-by-wire (SbW) and driver interface steering. Often, these various steering schemes include an electric power steering (EPS) system with components such as a steering wheel, steering column, rack and pinion, electric motor, etc. The EPS assists the driver in steering a vehicle by providing the required assist torque. The assist torque is based on the torque applied by the operator. At steady-state, the driver torque and the assist torque counteract the rack force generated by the tire-road interaction.

[0003] A typical SbW system consists of a road wheel actuator (RWA) unit and a handwheel (or steering wheel) actuator (HWA) unit. Unlike EPS, the two units in the SbW are mechanically separated and communicate via a CAN (Controlled Area Network) interface (or other similar digital communication protocols). The HWA unit receives a rack force signal from the RWA unit to generate an appropriate torque feel for the operator. Alternatively, the handwheel angle and vehicle speed can be used to provide the desired torque feel to the driver. The angle from the HWA unit is sent to the RWA unit, which performs position control to control the rack movement. While RWA units offer operational advantages, they are often limited by package requirements.Typical smoke and heat extraction units, for example, require specific installation in the vehicle, so flexibility in terms of package and operating parameters is limited.

[0004] Accordingly, some end-use applications for smoke and heat exhaust systems and other EPS system components have packaging and operational limitations. Therefore, improvements to the configuration of smoke and heat exhaust units and other EPS system components continue to be of interest.

[0005] Document DE 10 2018 130 382 A1 discloses a steering assembly for a vehicle in which a first boot and a second boot define a cavity. Document DE 199 00 694 B4 discloses a rack and pinion steering assembly in which a mounting location for a rack protection boot is configured such that it does not overlap a mounting sleeve in an axial direction.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a more versatile and at the same time more compact servo assistance arrangement.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are defined in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and particularly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 schematically shows a power steering system with a power assist arrangement according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the power assist assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the power assist assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 is an interior view of the power assist assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 5 shows a general block diagram of a control system for the servo assist arrangement; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a boot assembly of the power steering system according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 7 is a bottom view of a transmission support housing of the power assist assembly with the top cover removed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 8 is a plan view of the servo assist assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure; and Fig. 9 is a plan view of an adapter plate of the servo assist assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] The following discussion relates to various embodiments of the disclosure. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred, the disclosed embodiments should not be interpreted or otherwise used as limiting the scope of the disclosure, including the claims. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad application, and the discussion of any embodiment is intended to be exemplary of that embodiment only and does not imply that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.

[0010] As described, a vehicle, such as a passenger car, truck, sport utility vehicle, crossover, minivan, personal watercraft, aircraft, off-road vehicle, recreational vehicle, or other suitable vehicles, has various steering system schemes, such as steer-by-wire (SbW) and driver interface steering. Often, these various steering schemes include an electric power steering (EPS) system with components such as a steering wheel, steering column, rack and pinion, electric motor, etc. The EPS assists the driver in steering a vehicle by providing the required assist torque. The assist torque is based on the torque applied by the operator. At steady-state, the driver torque and the assist torque counteract the rack force generated by the tire-road interaction.

[0011] A typical SbW system consists of a road wheel actuator (RWA) unit and a handwheel (or steering wheel) actuator (HWA) unit. Unlike EPS, the two units in the SbW are mechanically separated and communicate via a controlled area network (CAN) interface (or other similar digital communication protocols). The HWA unit receives a rack force signal from the RWA unit to generate an appropriate torque feel for the operator. Alternatively, the handwheel angle and vehicle speed can be used to provide the desired torque feel to the driver. The angle from the HWA unit is sent to the RWA unit, which performs position control to control the rack movement. While RWA units offer operational advantages, they are often limited by packaging requirements.Typical smoke and heat extraction units, for example, require specific installation in the vehicle, so flexibility in packaging and operating parameters is limited.

[0012] While existing solutions offer a certain degree of practicality, improvements in the design and adaptability of power steering systems remain of interest. Accordingly, systems and methods, such as those described herein, configured to provide an improved package and operating framework for a power steering system may be desirable. In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may be configured to provide improvements to the operating framework of the power steering system.

[0013] With reference to the drawings in which the various embodiments are shown and described without limiting them, the Fig. 1 to 9 illustrate embodiments of a system, method, and apparatus for the power steering system that enable mounting in multiple configurations, resulting in improved packaging and other operational advantages.

[0014] In Fig. 1, the power steering system 20 is initially shown in general terms. The power steering system 20 may be configured as a steering system with a driver interface, as an autonomous driving system, or as a system that enables both a driver interface and autonomous steering. The steering system may include an input device 22, such as a steering wheel or other HWA, wherein a driver can mechanically provide steering input by turning the steering wheel. An airbag device 24 may be located at or near the input device 22. A steering column assembly 26 extends along an axis from the input device 22 to an output assembly 28. The steering column assembly 26 may include at least two axially adjustable parts, e.g., a first portion 30 and a second portion 32, which are axially adjustable relative to one another.The output assembly 28 may include a pinion shaft assembly, an I-shaft, a universal joint, steer-by-wire components, or other features typically located opposite the input device 22. The output assembly 28 may be connected to a power assist assembly 34 (RWA) via a connection 36. The connection 36 may be a steering gear input shaft, a continuation of the pinion shaft assembly, or wired or wireless digital communication protocols. As described in more detail below, the behavior of the power assist assembly 34 may be controlled via a controller system 300 (. Fig. 8) can be controlled.

[0015] The power assist assembly 34 may include steering gear components 38, such as a rack and pinion system, a recirculating ball steering gear, or other types of steering gear assemblies associated with autonomous steering systems with driver interfaces, or combinations thereof. The power assist assembly 34 may then be operatively connected to a drive axle assembly 40 via the steering gear components 38. In operation, actuation of the input device 22 causes corresponding movement of the power assist assembly 34 and causes the drive axle assembly 40 to turn the drive wheels 42 of an associated vehicle. The power assist assembly 34 may be part of an electronically assisted single pinion power steering (SPEPS) system.

[0016] In Fig. 2, the servo assist assembly 34 according to the present invention is generally illustrated. The servo assist assembly 34 includes a housing 44, e.g., a die-cast housing. The housing 44 includes an input gear portion 46 and a drive shaft portion 48. The input gear portion 46 defines an inner surface ( Fig. 4) extending about a first axis A, and the drive axle portion 48 defines an inner surface 50 ( Fig. 4 and Fig. 6) extending about a second axis B. The first axis A is transverse to the second axis B, and the inner surfaces merge into a steering gear interface portion 52. Portions of the power steering system 20 are housed and protected within the housing 44. For example, the input gear portion 46 receives the output assembly 28 (e.g., an input gear) of the steering column assembly 26, and the output assembly 28 may include a pinion gear 72 ( Fig. 4). The drive axle portion 48 may include portions of the drive axle assembly 40 and the steering gear components 38. For example, the steering gear components 38 may include a rack 74 ( Fig. 4) that engages the pinion 72 in the steering gear interface portion 52 of the housing 44. The housing 44 also includes at least one mounting portion 54. For example, the at least one mounting portion 54 may include multiple, such as four, mounting portions 54, with two mounting portions 54 extending from opposite sides of the drive axle portion 48. The mounting portions 54 may define openings for receiving bolts 56, which in turn are connected to a mounting bracket 58 that connects the housing 44 to an associated vehicle.

[0017] As in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the servo-assist assembly 34 includes a servo-assist actuator 60 for assisting the rotation of the pinion gear 72. The servo-assist actuator 60 is located in a transmission support housing 62, a motor housing 64, and a controller housing 66. At least a portion of the transmission support housing 62 may be formed integrally with the housing 44. As shown in Fig. 4, a transmission support assembly 68 may be housed within the transmission support housing 62. The transmission support assembly 68 may include a ring gear 70 rotatably connected to the input gear, which may be configured as a pinion gear 72. As previously described, the pinion gear 72 may be mechanically attached to the steering column assembly 26 via the connection 36 in a steering system with a driver interface, or electrically connected to the steering column assembly 26 via the connection 36 in a steer-by-wire (SbW) system. The pinion gear 72 may then mesh with the rack gear 74 to transmit motion to the drive axle assembly 40. The rack gear 74 may be attached to a steering rack 75. The transmission support assembly 68 may include an output sensor 76 for detecting the degree of rotation of the pinion gear 72. A similar input sensor 78 ( Fig. 1) may be located adjacent to the input device 22, the output assembly 28, or anywhere along the steering column assembly 26. The output sensor 76 and the input sensor 78 may include any number of configurations for measuring the degree of input and output. For example, the output sensor 76 and the input sensor 78 may be rotation sensors.

[0018] With further reference to Fig. 4, a motor 80 may be disposed within the motor housing 64 and include a driven gear that meshes with the ring gear 70 to drive (assist) the rotation of the pinion gear 72. In particular, the motor 80 may include a motor pinion gear 82 that meshes with the external teeth of the ring gear 70. As illustrated, the ring gear 70 and the pinion gear 72 may be coaxially connected and both may have helical gearing. The motor pinion gear 82 may also have helical gearing (not shown). It should be noted that in other embodiments, the steering assist may be driven hydraulically or by other means. Furthermore, it should be noted that the ring gear 70 and the rack 74 may be configured for front- or rear-wheel steering.

[0019] In the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 illustrates a controller system 300 that may be located within controller housing 66. Controller system 300 may include a controller 302, and controller 302 may include a processor 304 and memory 306. Processor 304 may be any suitable processor as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, controller 302 may include any number of processors, in addition to or different from processor 304. Memory 306 may include a single disk or a plurality of disks (e.g., hard drives) and includes a memory management module that manages one or more partitions within memory 306. In some embodiments, memory 306 may include flash memory, semiconductor (solid-state) memory, or the like. Memory 306 may be random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), or a combination thereof.Memory 306 may contain instructions that, when executed by processor 304, cause processor 304 to perform at least the systems and methods described herein. Controller system 300 may include or be in communication with output sensor 76, input sensor 78, and motor 80. Thus, an input measured by input sensor 78 may be received by processor 304 and cause processor 304 to command a particular output by motor 80, as measured or otherwise monitored by output sensor 76.

[0020] In Fig. 6, a tie rod assembly 84 is illustrated. The tie rod assembly 84 may be disposed primarily within the drive axle portion 48 of the housing 44 and includes the pinion gears 72. The tie rod assembly 84 includes at least one collar assembly 86, such as a collar assembly 86, located at one or both ends of the drive axle portion 48. In particular, the drive axle portion 48 may extend between opposing openings 88. The drive axle portion 48 may include an extension sleeve connecting end 90 defining the opening 88 and extending to an abutment surface 92 extending radially inward toward the second axis B. The collar assembly 86 includes an extension sleeve 94 extending into the opening 88 and abutting the abutment surface 92 of the extension sleeve connecting end 90.The collar assembly 86 further includes a collar sleeve 96 that extends at least partially into the extension sleeve 94 opposite the abutment surface 92. The collar sleeve 96 includes an insertion end 98 and a socket end 100 that extends radially outward from the insertion end 98 in a first step 102 defined by both an outer and an inner surface of the collar sleeve 96. When the collar sleeve 96 is inserted into the connection end 90 of the extension sleeve, the extension sleeve 94 abuts the outer surface of the first step 102. The collar assembly 86 further includes a retaining sleeve 104 that is at least partially disposed within the collar sleeve 96. The retaining sleeve 104 includes a body portion 106 and a flange portion 108 on an outer surface and a socket surface 110 on an inner surface.The inner surface of the boot sleeve 96 may include a second step 112 for abutting the body portion 106 of the retaining sleeve 104 and a groove 114 for retaining the flange portion 108 of the retaining sleeve 104 near or at the first step 102. In operation, the steering rack 75 may be in sliding engagement with the socket surface 110 of the retaining sleeve 104. A tie rod 116 of the tie rod assembly 84 may be connected to one end of the steering rack 75. The boot sleeve 96 further includes a retaining ring groove 117 for connection to a boot retaining ring 118 on the socket end 100 of the boot sleeve 96, for example, around the outer surface thereof. A boot 120 is connected to the boot assembly 86 via the boot retaining ring 118. The boot 120 may be a compression sleeve, for example, a compression sleeve. B. a bellows, and protect certain components of the boot assembly 86 as well as the connection between the tie rod 116 and the steering rack 75.

[0021] Referring to Fig. 7 shows a bottom side of the transmission support housing 62, with the top cover 124 ( Fig. 3) is removed. The transmission support housing 62 includes a series of openings 126 for securing the top cover 124. The transmission support housing 62 includes a pocket 128 for receiving the transmission support assembly 68. A surface of the transmission support housing 62 defining the pocket 128 includes an opening 130 extending about the axis A and receiving the pinion gear 72. The surface of the transmission support housing 62 defining the pocket 128 also includes a plurality of mounting features 132 around the opening 130. The mounting features 132 are circumferentially aligned about the axis A and evenly distributed radially. The mounting features 132 may include openings or integral connecting shafts (e.g., bolts), and the transmission support assembly 68 includes a plurality of associated connecting features (not shown).The associated connection features may be the same or different in number as the mounting features 132 and may have a similar circumferential arrangement about axis A and a similar radial distribution as the mounting features 132. Accordingly, the connections between the mounting features 132 and the associated connection features may be rotatably selected between a variety of mounting positions between the transmission support assembly and the transmission support housing 62. The plurality of mounting features 132 may include any number of mounting features 132, for example, four or more mounting features, six or more mounting features, eight or more mounting features, twelve or more mounting features, or any other number of mounting features 132.In the exemplary arrangement, the plurality of attachment features 132 includes twelve attachment features 132 spaced every 30° about axis A to achieve twelve different attachment positions.

[0022] In the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 shows a top view of the servo support assembly 34. An adapter plate 136 connects the motor housing 64 (and by extension, the controller housing 66) to the transmission support housing 62, thereby connecting and aligning the motor 80 and the controller system 300 with the transmission support assembly 68. As shown in Fig.8, the transmission support housing 62 includes an adapter plate connection opening having a plurality of tabs 138 disposed therearound. The adapter plate 136 has an annular shape with a plurality of adjustment tabs 140 extending radially outward therefrom and aligning with at least one of the tabs 138 provided on the transmission support housing 62. The adjustment tabs 140 each include an elongated slot 142 defining a perimeter, and the transmission support housing tabs 138 include connection openings 144 spaced along the perimeter of the elongated slots 142. In some embodiments, the adapter plate 136 may further include motor housing tabs 146, each defining a motor housing connection opening 148 for connection to the motor housing 64 on the adapter plate 136.The motor housing connection opening 148 of the motor housing may be located on the same circumference defined by the elongated slots 142. During assembly, the adapter plate 136 may be connected to the motor housing 64 via the motor housing connection openings 148, and the relative orientation of the motor housing 64 and the motor 80 with respect to the transmission support housing 62 may be adjusted in two different ways. First, the elongated slots 142 may be aligned with different adjustment tabs 140, i.e., a macro adjustment. Second, the adjustment tab 140 may be aligned with respect to its position along the associated elongated slot 142, i.e., a micro adjustment. In some embodiments, there is an equal number of adjustment tabs 140 and elongated slots 142.In some embodiments, the plurality of elongated slots 142 includes four elongated slots evenly spaced every 90° around the adapter plate 136 to allow for 90° of macro adjustment. In some embodiments, each of the elongated slots 142 may extend 5° or more, 10° or more, 15° or more, 20° or more, 25° or more, 30° or more, 45° or less, or other degrees to allow for an equal degree of micro adjustment.

[0023] During assembly, the power assist assembly 34 shown and described herein improves packaging requirements by providing a variety of both micro and macro orientation adjustment options during assembly for a desired rack travel, a desired motor orientation, and a desired gear support assembly orientation. Furthermore, a length of the extension sleeve 94 can be selected to accommodate the inner ball-to-inner ball dimensions and a desired rack travel. Thus, the power assist assembly 34 shown and described herein can be adapted to numerous vehicle architectures by selecting the length of the extension tube, the orientation of the adapter plate 136, the size and location of the elongated slot 142 relative to the adjustment tabs 140, and the orientation of the gear support assembly 68 relative to the mounting features 132.Different orientations can be stored in memory so that the processor is caused to respond accurately to the input sensor 78 via readings from the output sensor 76. List of reference symbols: 20 Power steering system 22 Entrance device 24 Airbag device 26 Steering column arrangement 28 Exit arrangement 30 first section 32 second section 34 power assist arrangement 36 Connection 38 steering gear components 40 Drive axle arrangement 42 drive wheels 44 housings 46 Input gear section 48 Drive axle section 50 interior area 52 Steering gear interface section 54 Fastening section 56 bolts 58 Mounting bracket 60 servo assistance actuator 62 Gearbox support housing 64 engine housing 66 controller housings 68 Gearbox support assembly 70 sprocket 72 pinions 74 rack 76 Output sensor 78 Input sensor 80 engine 82 Motor pinion 84 Tie rod arrangement 86 Cuff arrangement 88 Opening 90 Connection end 92 contact surface 94 Extension sleeve 96 cuff sleeve 98 onset 100 socket ends 102 first stage 104 retaining sleeve 106 Body section 108 Flange section 110 socket area 112 second stage 114 groove 116 Tie rod 118 Cuff retaining ring 120 cuff 124 Cover 126 openings 128 bag 130 Opening 132 fastening features 136 adapter plate 138 tabs 140 adjustment tabs 142 elongated slots 144 connecting openings 146 engine housing tabs 148 Motor housing connection opening 300 controller system 302 Controller 304 processor 306 memory

Claims

[1] Servo-assistance arrangement (34) comprising: a housing (44) having a drive axle portion (48) extending between a pair of connecting ends (90) spaced along an axis (B) to receive a provided steering rack (75); and a cuff assembly (86) connected to at least one of the connecting ends (90), the cuff assembly (86) comprising: an extension sleeve (94) operatively connected to the connecting end (90); a cuff sleeve (96) operatively connected to the extension sleeve (94) and spaced from the connecting end (90) of the housing (44) by at least a portion of a length of the extension sleeve (94); and a cuff retaining ring (118) operatively connected to the cuff sleeve (96). [2] Servo-assistance arrangement (34) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the sleeve assembly (86) further comprises a retaining sleeve (104) which is at least partially arranged within the sleeve sleeve (96), and the retaining sleeve (104) has an inner bushing surface (110) for sliding engagement with the provided steering rack (75). [3] Servo-assistance arrangement (34) according to claim 2, characterized by in that the at least one connecting end (90) with the cuff sleeve (96) defines an opening (88) which is at least partially defined by a contact surface (92), and wherein the extension sleeve (94) is arranged in the opening (88) and bears against the contact surface (92). [4] Servo-assistance arrangement (34) according to claim 3, characterized byin that the cuff sleeve (96) has an insertion end (98) and a socket end (100) extending radially outward from the insertion end (98), the insertion end (98) being disposed in the opening (88) and an outer surface of the socket end (100) defining a first step (102) for engagement with the extension sleeve (94) opposite an extension sleeve connection. [5] Servo-assistance arrangement (34) according to claim 4, characterized by that the retaining sleeve (104) has a body portion (106) and a flange portion (108) extending radially outward from the body portion (106), and wherein the flange portion (108) limits the travel of the provided steering rack (75) along the axis. [6] Servo-assistance arrangement (34) according to claim 5, characterized bythat an inner surface of the cuff sleeve (96) defines a groove (114) and the flange portion (108) is at least partially disposed in the groove (114) to prevent axial extension along its axis. [7] Servo-assistance arrangement (34) according to claim 6, characterized by that the inner surface of the cuff sleeve (96) further defines a second step (112) in engagement with one end of the body portion (106) of the retaining sleeve (104) along the axis. [8] Servo-assistance arrangement (34) according to claim 1, characterized by that the cuff sleeve (96) further comprises a retaining ring groove (117) on the outer surface and wherein the cuff retaining ring (118) is at least partially disposed in the retaining ring groove (117) to connect a provided cuff (120) to the servo assistance assembly (34). [9] A method of assembling the servo assist assembly (34) according to claim 2, comprising: Determining a target limit value of the rack travel of the steering rack (75); shaping the length of the extension sleeve (94) such that the cuff sleeve (96) is spaced from the connecting end (90) of the housing (44); and Connecting the retaining sleeve (104) to the inner surface of the sleeve collar (96) at the desired limit of the rack travel. [10] Servo-assistance arrangement (34) according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: an input gear portion (46) extending along a further axis (A) to accommodate a pinion (72), wherein the cuff retaining ring (118) is operatively connected to the cuff sleeve (96) opposite the extension sleeve (94). [11] A servo assist assembly (34) according to claim 10, further comprising a transmission assist housing (62) connected to the input gear portion (46) for arranging a designated transmission assist assembly (68). [12] The servo assist assembly (34) of claim 11, further comprising a motor housing (64) for arranging a provided motor (80) that drives the provided transmission assist assembly (68). [13] Servo-assistance arrangement (34) according to claim 12, characterized by that the motor housing (64) is connected to the transmission support housing (62) via an adapter plate (136). [14] Servo-assistance arrangement (34) according to claim 13, characterized byin that the adapter plate (136) has a plurality of elongated slots (142) evenly spaced around a circumference, and wherein the transmission support housing (62) has a plurality of mounting openings, the plurality of openings being spaced to align with the plurality of elongated slots (142). [15] A method of assembling the servo assist assembly (34) according to claim 14, comprising: Connecting the motor housing (64) to the adapter plate (136); Determining a desired motor orientation between a plurality of available motor orientations between the provided motor (80) and the provided transmission support assembly (68); and Rotating the motor housing (64) and the adapter plate (136) in the direction of the determined motor orientation and aligning the plurality of elongated slots (142) with the mounting openings adjacent the desired motor orientation. [16] Method of assembling the servo assistance arrangement (34) according to claim 15, characterized by that the procedure further comprises: further rotating the motor housing (64) and the adapter plate (136) with respect to the transmission support housing (62) to change the relative positioning of the elongated slots (142) with respect to the mounting openings in the direction of the desired motor orientation; and Attaching fasteners through each of the elongated slots (142) and corresponding mounting openings to secure the adapter plate (136) to the transmission support housing (62) adjacent the desired motor orientation. [17] Servo-assistance arrangement (34) according to claim 13, characterized by that each of the plurality of elongated slots (142) extends 45° or less around the circumference. [18] Servo-assistance arrangement (34) comprising: a housing (44) having a drive axle portion (48) extending between a pair of connecting ends (90) spaced along a first axis (B) and an input gear portion (46) extending along a second axis (A) transverse to the first axis (B); a transmission support housing (62) connected to the input gear portion (46); a steering rack (75) arranged in the drive axle section (48); a pinion (72) disposed in the input gear portion (46); a transmission support assembly (68) disposed in the transmission support housing (62); and a cuff assembly (86) connected to at least one of the connecting ends (90), the cuff assembly (86) comprising: an extension sleeve (94) operatively connected to the connecting end (90); a cuff sleeve (96) operatively connected to the extension sleeve (94) and spaced from the connecting end (90) of the housing (44) by at least a portion of a length of the extension sleeve (94); and a cuff retaining ring (118) operatively connected to the cuff sleeve (96) opposite the extension sleeve (94). [19] Servo-assistance arrangement (34) according to claim 18, characterized byin that the transmission support housing (62) has an inner surface defining a plurality of attachment features (132) evenly distributed around a circumference, and wherein the transmission support assembly (68) has a plurality of connection features distributed around the circumference equally with the attachment features (132) when the attachment features (132) and the connection features can be connected in multiple orientations around the circumference. [20] A method of assembling the servo assist assembly (34) according to claim 19, comprising: Determining a desired orientation of the transmission support assembly (68) with respect to the transmission support housing (62); Rotating the transmission support assembly (68) toward the desired orientation until the attachment features (132) and the connection features are aligned adjacent the desired orientation of the transmission support assembly (68); and Connecting the fastening features (132) and the connection features.

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