# US 2008/0184830 A1 · Rack and pinion steering gear assembly having self-adjusting eccentric rack bearing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0184830 A1 - Document ID: US20080184830A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/102,249 - Filed: 2008-04-14 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2005-06-30 - Assignees: Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: George E. Arlt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080184830A1 ## CPC - B62D 3/12: of rack-and-pinion type - B62D 3/123: {characterised by pressure yokes} - F16H 55/283: {using pressure yokes} - F16H 2055/281: {Cylindrical or half-cylindrical bushings around the rack, e.g. using special wedges to reduce play} - Y10T 74/19623: Backlash take-up - Y10T 74/1967: Rack and pinion - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - F16H: GEARING - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A steering apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber and an aperture extending into the chamber. A rack is disposed within the chamber and moveable along a longitudinal axis. A pinion extends into the chamber for meshing engagement with the rack. A bearing supports the rack within the chamber relative to the housing. The bearing includes a wall having a continuously varying radial thickness. An adjustment mechanism includes a shaft partially disposed within the aperture in threaded engagement with the aperture and engaging the bearing for rotating the bearing about the longitudinal axis, thereby repositioning the rack relative to the pinion. A plug is disposed within the aperture. A spring is disposed within the aperture between the plug and the shaft to bias against the shaft, thereby urging rotational threaded movement of the shaft to produce linear movement of the shaft into engagement with the bearing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A power steering apparatus comprising: a housing extending along a longitudinal axis and having a chamber with an inner surface; a rack disposed within said chamber for movement along said longitudinal axis; a pinion supported by said housing and extending into said chamber for meshing engagement with said rack; a bearing engaging said inner surface of said chamber and disposed about said rack with said bearing having a wall of a continuous varying radial thickness circumferentially surrounding said rack; an adjustment mechanism supported by said housing and coupled to said bearing for rotatably adjusting said bearing relative to said longitudinal axis to ensure tight meshing engagement between said pinion and said rack; a spring supported by said housing and biasing against said adjustment mechanism for automatically advancing said adjustment mechanism to continuously adjust said bearing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing defines an aperture having threads and said adjustment mechanism includes a shaft having a second end in threaded engagement with said aperture for rotational movement of said shaft relative to said housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a plug disposed within said aperture and fixedly attached to said housing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 further comprising a locking mechanism fixedly securing said plug within said aperture to prevent rotation of said plug relative to said housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said spring is disposed within said aperture between said plug and said second end of said shaft. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said spring includes a coil spring. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said wall of said bearing defines a seat and with said adjustment mechanism engaging said seat. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said shaft includes a first end abutting said seat in a generally tangential relationship to said bearing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 further comprising a de-lashing device interconnecting said bearing and said housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said de-lashing device includes an o-ring compressed between said bearing and said housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said o-ring includes an elastomeric material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said wall of said bearing includes an outer face having an outer radius defining a first center point and an inner face having an inner radius defining a second center point spaced a distance from said first center point to define said varying radial thickness of said wall.