The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 25, 2006
Filed:
Jun. 11, 2003
James Robertson, Walled Lake, MI (US);
Sunil Palakodati, Canton, MI (US);
Edward Fowlkes, Northville, MI (US);
Matthew Yanosek, Birmingham, MI (US);
James Robertson, Walled Lake, MI (US);
Sunil Palakodati, Canton, MI (US);
Edward Fowlkes, Northville, MI (US);
Matthew Yanosek, Birmingham, MI (US);
Visteon Globsl Technologies, Inc., Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A steering gear assembly includes a pinion defining a pinion axis and a rack defining a rack axis. A bearing assembly includes a roller bearing biased against the rack to generate a normal force pressing the rack into engagement with the pinion. The bearing assembly engages an outer surface of the rack at two points circumferentially spanning a large angle to provide improved support. The roller bearing is preferably a plurality of ball bearings engaging an outer race. A deformable member may be utilized that is positioned between the outer race and the rack housing. The deformable member may comprise a series of O-rings which providing a force biasing the outer race towards the pinion.