Expandable rack bushing
AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.
InventorRodolfo Mena
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The expandable rack bushing has a tubular portion with front slots and rear slots. An axial overlap between the front and rear slots permits expansion and retraction of the tubular portion. Retainer blocks on the tubular portion are received in a radial groove in a rack and pinion housing to axially fix the rack bushing. When the steering rack is positioned in the rack bushing, the retainer blocks cannot be removed from the radial groove. Radial forces on the steering rack expand the rack bushing and move the steering rack toward one side of the rack housing bore. Spring fingers absorb energy as the rack bushing is expanded. These spring fingers continuously urge the steering rack toward the housing bore center.
Claims13
An expandable rack bushing comprising:
- a generally tubular portion with a bushing axis, an outer end, and an inner end;
- a plurality of front slots in said generally tubular portion each of which extends from the outer end toward the inner end and a front slot end wall;
- a plurality of rear slots in said generally tubular portion each of which extends from the inner end toward the outer end to a rear slot end wall and wherein at least some of the rear slot end walls are axially positioned between some of the front slot end walls and said outer end and permit a diameter of said expandable rack bushing to increase;
- and
- a plurality of retainer blocks on said generally tubular portion each of which extends radially outward from said generally tubular portion.
An expandable rack bushing comprising:
- a generally tubular portion with a bushing axis, an outer end, and an inner end;
- a plurality of front slots in said generally tubular portion each of which extends from the outer end toward the inner end and to a front slot end wall;
- a plurality of rear slots in said generally tubular portion each of which extends from the inner end toward the outer end and to a rear slot end wall and wherein at least some of the rear slot end walls are axially positioned between some of the front slot end walls and said outer end and permit a diameter of said expandable rack bushing to increase;
- and
- a plurality of spring members on said generally tubular portion that absorb forces expanding said generally tubular portion and bias said generally tubular portion toward a non-expanded condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.