Abstract:
A rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a housing (12) having an axially extending passage (14) and a yoke bore (18) that intersects the axially extending passage (14) within the housing (12). A pinion gear (26) is rotatably mounted in the housing (12). A rack bar (34) extends through the axially extending passage (14) and is movable relative to the pinion gear (26). The rack bar (34) has teeth in meshing engagement with teeth (32) of the pinion gear (26). A yoke assembly (54) is located in the yoke bore (18) of the housing (12) for at least partially supporting and guiding movement of the rack bar (34) relative to the pinion gear (26). The yoke assembly (54) comprises a yoke (56) having first and second roller assemblies (154 and 166) for contacting the rack bar (34) and rotating during movement of the rack bar (34). A first spindle (112) is fixed to the yoke (56) and supports the first roller assembly (154) and a second spindle (114) is fixed to the yoke (56) and supports the second roller assembly (166).
Abstract:
A rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a housing (12). A pinion gear (22) rotatably mounted in the housing (12). Teeth (28) of the pinion gear (22) engage teeth of a rack bar (30) that extends through the housing (12) and that is movable relative to the housing (12). A yoke assembly (38) is located in the housing (12) for at least partially supporting and guiding movement of the rack bar (30) relative to the pinion gear (22). The yoke assembly (38) comprises a first member (46) for contacting the rack bar (30) and a second member (48) for pivotally supporting the first member (46). Structure (70) of the second member (48) engages structure (58) of the first member (46) to enable the first member (46) to pivot in all directions about a point of rotation (P). The point of rotation (P) is spaced from a location of engagement of the first and second members (46 and 48).