# US 2019/0170251 A1 · Steering assembly with dual wall boot > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0170251 A1 - Document ID: US20190170251A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/829,083 - Filed: 2017-12-01 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-01 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Travis S. Larson; George E. Doerr; Miroslaw Zaloga; John T. Zuzelski; David Juarez - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190170251A1 ## CPC - F16J 3/041: {Non-metallic bellows} - B62D 3/12: of rack-and-pinion type - F16D 3/845: {allowing relative movement of joint parts due to the flexing of the cover} - B62D 5/04: electrical, e.g. using an electric servo-motor connected to, or forming part of, the steering gear - B62D 5/0481: {monitoring the steering system, e.g. failures} - F16J: PISTONS {(specially adapted for dampers F16F9/32)}; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS - 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) - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES ## Abstract A steering assembly for a vehicle includes a steering gear including a steering gear housing enclosing a steering rack, the steering rack coupled to a tie rod at a joint, at least one boot assembly configured to enclose the joint between the steering rack and the tie rod. The at least one boot assembly includes a first boot proximate to the joint and a second boot disposed outward of the first boot. The first and second boots define a void therebetween. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A steering assembly for a vehicle, the steering assembly comprising: a steering gear including a steering gear housing enclosing a steering rack, the steering rack coupled to a tie rod at a joint; at least one boot assembly configured to enclose the joint between the steering rack and the tie rod, the at least one boot assembly comprising a first boot proximate to the joint; and a second boot disposed outward of the first boot; wherein the first and second boots define a void therebetween. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The steering assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first boot assembly and a second boot assembly, and an air transfer member fluidly connecting the first boot assembly and the second boot assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The steering assembly of claim 2, wherein the first boot assembly comprises the first boot and the second boot defining a first void of the first boot assembly and the second boot assembly comprises a third boot and a fourth boot defining a second void of the second boot assembly and the air transfer member fluidly connects the first and second voids of the first and second boot assemblies. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The steering assembly of claim 1, further comprising a material disposed within the void, the material configured to increase in viscosity when exposed to moisture. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The steering assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sensing assembly, the sensing assembly comprising a sensor disposed within the void between the first and second boots of the at least one boot assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The steering assembly of claim 5, wherein the sensing assembly is electrically coupled to an electronic control unit of an electric power steering system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The steering assembly of claim 1, wherein the first boot includes a first end coupled to the tie rod and a second end coupled to the steering gear housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The steering assembly of claim 7, wherein the first end of the first boot has a snap fit engagement with the tie rod and the second end of the first boot has a snap fit engagement with an engagement portion of the steering gear housing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The steering assembly of claim 7, wherein the first boot is offset from the second boot along a longitudinal axis defined by the steering gear. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The steering assembly of claim 1, wherein a first end of the first boot and a first end of the second boot are radially aligned and a second end of the first boot and a second end of the second boot are radially aligned. ### Claim 11 A steering assembly for a motor vehicle, the steering assembly comprising: a steering gear including a steering rack coupled to a tie rod at a joint; at least one boot assembly configured to enclose the joint between the steering rack and the tie rod, the at least one boot assembly comprising a first boot proximate to the steering rack; a second boot disposed outward of the first boot such that a space is defined between the first and second boots; and a sensing assembly disposed in the space between the first boot and the second boot; wherein the sensing assembly includes a sensor configured to detect a moisture level in the space between the first and second boots. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The steering assembly of claim 11, further comprising a first boot assembly and a second boot assembly and an air transfer member fluidly connecting the first boot assembly and the second boot assembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The steering assembly of claim 11, further comprising a material disposed within the space between the first boot and the second boot of the at least one boot assembly, the material configured to increase in viscosity when exposed to moisture. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The steering assembly of claim 11, wherein a first end of the first boot has a snap fit engagement with the tie rod and a second end of the first boot has a snap fit engagement with an engagement portion of the steering gear housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The steering assembly of claim 11, wherein the sensor is electrically coupled to an electronic control unit of an electric power steering system.