Rack and pinion steering, especially for motor vehicles
AssigneeZahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
InventorErich Jablonsky
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides a steering assembly comprising a gear rack actuated by a pinion shaft rotated by a steering spindle wherein misalignment of the teeth of the gear rack and of the teeth of the pinion shaft can be readily adjusted for the entire flanks of both sides of the teeth so as to eliminate play and maintain constant engagement. A two part housing having relative pivotal motion on a spherical juncture is utilized as a bearing means between the housing members.
Claims10
In an adjustable rack and pinion steering assembly for motor vehicles, a housing comprised of two joined members (1, 8) and having respective relative pivotal movement surface means (12, 13) engaged therebetween;
- a pinion shaft (3) extending between said housing members having an end with a self-aligning pivotal bearing (7) support therefore in one housing member (1) and fixed bearing (6) support in the other housing member;
- said surface means providing pivotal movement of said housing members about the pivotal center of said self-aligning pivotal bearing;
- a rack in said housing engaging said pinion shaft;
- and actuating means (15) extending between said housing members for effecting relative pivoting of said housing members for adjustment between teeth on said pinion shaft and teeth on said rack.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.