Trw Limited

Paul R Sahr

Richard A Stoll

A power-assisted steering apparatus ( ) for turning steerable wheels of a vehicle is provided. The apparatus ( ) comprises a one-piece monolithic component ( ). The one-piece monolithic component ( ) includes a pinion gear portion ( ) for meshingly engaging a rack bar ( ), a valve sleeve portion ( ) for cooperating with a valve core ( ) to actuate the hydraulic motor ( ), and a torsion bar portion ( ) extending axially outwardly of the valve sleeve portion ( ) opposite the pinion gear portion ( ).

Power-assisted steering apparatus with a one-piece, monolithic component

A rack and pinion steering gear ( ). The rack and pinion steering gear ( ) comprises a housing ( ) having a chamber ( ). A portion of the chamber ( ) is a relief pocket ( ). A pinion gear ( ) is rotatably mounted in the chamber ( ) of the housing ( ). A rack bar ( ) is movable relative to the pinion gear ( ). The rack bar ( ) is at least partially disposed in the chamber ( ) of the housing ( ) and has teeth ( ) in meshing engagement with the pinion gear ( ). A spring ( ) is disposed in the chamber ( ) of the housing ( ) for supporting and guiding movement of the rack bar ( ) relative to the pinion gear ( ). The spring ( ) extends across an opening to the relief pocket ( ). The spring ( ) extends into the relief pocket ( ) as a load applied to the spring ( ) from the rack bar ( ) increases.

Rack and pinion steering gear with spring and relief pocket

A rack and pinion steering gear ( ) comprises a housing ( ). A pinion gear ( ) is rotatably mounted in the housing ( ). A rack bar ( ) is movable relative to the pinion gear ( ). The rack bar ( ) has teeth in meshing engagement with the pinion gear ( ). The rack and pinion steering gear ( ) further comprises a yoke assembly ( ) in the housing ( ) for supporting and guiding movement of the rack bar ( ) relative to the pinion gear ( ). The yoke assembly ( ) comprises a yoke ( ) and a plurality of balls ( ). The yoke ( ) has a first surface ( ) and a plurality of slots ( ) which intersect the first surface ( ). Each ball ( ) is inserted into a respective slot ( ). Each ball ( ) projects from its respective slot ( ) and beyond the first surface ( ) of the yoke ( ) when load conditions on the yoke assembly ( ) are below a predetermined level. Each ball ( ) is movable in its respective slot ( ) relative to the first surface ( ) of the yoke ( ) as load conditions on the yoke assembly ( ) change.

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Lake Orion, MI, United States of America

Paul R Sahr