Steering gear pinion bearing assembly for use in a rack and pinion steering apparatus
AssigneeTRW Automotive U.S. LLC
InventorDennis F. Harer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A steering gear pinion bearing assembly adapted to support a pinion in a rack and pinion steering apparatus comprises a pinion support member including a first end, a second end and a stepped body portion; and a bearing assembly carried by the pinion support member, the bearing assembly including at least a plurality of bearings and an outer race.
Claims20
A steering gear pinion bearing assembly adapted to support a pinion in a rack and pinion steering apparatus comprising:
- a separate pinion support member operatively coupled to an end of the pinion of the rack and pinion steering apparatus, the pinion support member including a first end, a second end and a stepped body portion;
- and
- a bearing assembly carried by the pinion support member directly adjacent the end of the pinion which is operatively coupled to the pinion support member, the bearing assembly including at least a plurality of balls and an outer race.
A steering gear pinion bearing assembly adapted to support a pinion in a rack and pinion steering apparatus comprising:
- a separate pinion support member operatively coupled to an end of the pinion of the rack and pinion steering apparatus, the pinion support member including a first end, a second end and a stepped body portion;
- and
- a bearing assembly carried by the pinion support member directly adjacent the end of the pinion which is operatively coupled to the pinion support member, the bearing assembly including at least a plurality of balls and an outer race;
- wherein the pinion support member includes an increased diameter flange adjacent the first end, a reduced diameter portion adjacent the second end, and a portion adjacent the second end provided with external threads.
A rack and pinion steering apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- a pinion gear mounted in the housing;
- a pinion bearing assembly including a separate pinion support member and a bearing assembly carried by the pinion support member, the pinion support member including a first end, a second end operatively connected to an end the pinion gear, and a stepped body portion, the bearing assembly including at least a plurality of balls and an outer race;
- and
- a retaining member disposed in the housing adjacent the pinion bearing assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.