# US 7,743,873 B2 · Variable rack stroke system for vehicle

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- Number: US 7,743,873 B2
- Document ID: US7743873B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/647,073
- Filed: 2006-12-28
- Published: 2008-05-08
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2006-11-03
- Assignees: Kia Motors Corporation
- Inventors: Jong-Sung Kim
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7743873B2

## CPC

- B62D 3/12: of rack-and-pinion type
- 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)

## Abstract

A variable rack stroke system includes a rack housing in which a rack bar is slidably disposed, a casing attached to the rack housing, an annular rotary member, an annular stationary member, and a switch. The annular rotary member includes grooves on an inner periphery thereof that face each other, and first protrusions protruding from the rotary member in an axial direction that have different thicknesses. The rotational phase of the rotary member is adjusted by the motor. The annular stationary member includes protruding parts on an outer periphery thereof that face each other, configured to be inserted into the grooves, and second protrusions protruding from the stationary member in the axial direction, that have different thicknesses and face the first protrusions. The stationary member is coupled with a ball joint to be coupled with the rack bar. The switch adjusts the rotational phase of the motor.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A variable rack stroke system for vehicle, comprising:
a housing;
a rack bar slidably disposed in the housing;
a motor;
a rotary member, a rotational position of which is adjusted by the motor, comprising a groove on an inner periphery thereof and at least two first protrusions protruding from the rotary member in an axial direction apart from each other, wherein the at least two first protrusions comprise a first relatively thicker protrusion and a first relatively thinner protrusion;
a stationary member coupled with a ball joint coupled with the rack bar, comprising protruding parts on an outer periphery thereof and selectively inserted into the groove, and at least two second protrusions protruding from the stationary member opposite the axial direction of the at least two first protrusions to abut with the at least two first protrusions when aligned therewith, wherein the at least two second protrusions comprise a second relatively thicker protrusion and a second relatively thinner protrusion; and
a switch to adjust a rotational phase of the motor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least two first protrusions are provided at portions of the rotary member spaced from the groove, and the at least two second protrusions are provided at portions extending onto the protruding parts.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the first relatively thicker protrusion and the first relatively thinner protrusion are disposed at positions which are separated from each other and correspond to phase angles opposite to each other in a radial direction.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the second relatively thicker protrusion and the second relatively thinner protrusion are disposed at positions which are separated from each other and correspond to phase angles opposite to each other in a radial direction.