US 10,519,561 B2 · Steering gear assembly and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

A steering gear housing and method of manufacturing same are provided. The steering gear housing is comprised of aluminum alloy and is at least partially anodized. The steering gear housing defines a plurality of mounting apertures. A plurality of nuts is fit into a respective one of the mounting apertures for use in mounting to a vehicle. Each of the nuts defines a plurality of splines for establishing a press-fit relationship between the mounting apertures and the nuts. The method involves casting a steering gear housing defining a plurality of mounting apertures out of aluminum alloy. Next, the casted steering gear housing is at least partially anodized. After anodization, a plurality of nuts is fit into respective ones of the mounting apertures. The nuts define splines for allowing a press-fit relationship to be established between the mounting apertures and the nuts.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A steering gear assembly comprising:

a steering gear housing comprised of an aluminum alloy and defining an input body and a sector body for receiving steering gears;
said input body defining an input shaft bore extending along an input axis A and bounded by an inner surface;
said sector body defining a sector shaft bore extending along a sector axis B disposed in spaced and transverse relationship to said input axis A and bounded by an inner wall;
at least one of said inner surface of said input shaft bore or said inner wall of said sector shaft bore being anodized;
said steering gear housing defining a plurality of mounting apertures;
and
a plurality of nuts press fit into a respective one of said mounting apertures for use in mounting said steering gear housing to a vehicle.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Steering gear assembly and method of manufacturing same

Life of this patent

Steering gear assembly and method of manufacturing same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10