Anti-backlash nut, lead screw assembly and method

摘要

A nut for a lead screw assembly, a lead screw assembly and a method for preventing backlash in a lead screw assembly are provided. The nut of the lead screw assembly includes a one-way clutch that permits relative motion of between two nut bodies in a first direction but prevents relative motion in an opposite direction. The one-way clutch preferably includes at least one sprag element that acts between the two nut bodies to permit or prevent relative motion between the two nut bodies of the nut. The lead screw assembly generally incorporates a nut incorporating such a nut. The method generally includes binding the first nut body relative the second nut body to prevent relative motion of the nut bodies in one direction while permitting relative motion in an opposite direction.