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:
Dec. 25, 2012
Filed:
Apr. 14, 2008
Tony M. Dodak, Frankenmuth, MI (US);
Anthony J. Champagne, Saginaw, MI (US);
Michael A. Eickholt, New Lothrop, MI (US);
George E. Arlt, Midland, MI (US);
Tony M. Dodak, Frankenmuth, MI (US);
Anthony J. Champagne, Saginaw, MI (US);
Michael A. Eickholt, New Lothrop, MI (US);
George E. Arlt, Midland, MI (US);
Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation, Saginaw, MI (US);
Abstract
A power steering apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber. A rack is disposed within the chamber and is moveable along a longitudinal axis. A pinion extends into the chamber for meshing engagement with the rack. A bearing supports the rack relative to the housing and is moveable relative to the housing to re-position the rack relative to the pinion. An adjustment mechanism continuously biases the bearing in response to loosening of the meshing engagement to re-position the rack. A dampener resists the movement of the bearing to slow the re-positioning of the bearing. Preferably, the dampener includes a plastic fluid having a very high viscosity. The plastic fluid is disposed between adjacent moving parts to resist the relative movement between the bearing and the housing.