IP Library Granted Patent US 7,147,081
Granted Patent B2
US 7,147,081 · App. 10/505,561 · Granted Dec 12, 2006

Rack-and-pinion steering system for motor vehicles

Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,147,081
App. No.
10/505,561
Granted
Dec 12, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A rack-and-pinion steering system for motor vehicles includes a rack, which is mounted in a housing such that it is longitudinally displaceable and kept in constant engagement with a pinion by a pressure piece, is connected at both ends to in each case one steering tie rod in an articulated manner, sealing bellows being fastened on one side to the housing and on the other side to the longitudinally displaceable steering rods. The steering system has a pressure compensation element integrated in the pressure piece.

Claims (50)

1. A rack-and-pinion steering system for motor vehicles, comprising:

a pinion;

a rack longitudinally displaceably arranged in a steering mechanism housing, the rack including two ends, each end articulatedly connected to a respective steering tie rod;

a pressure piece configured to maintain the pinion and the rack in constant engagement;

a sealing bellows fastened on one side to the housing and on another side to the steering tie rods; and

at least one pressure compensation element integrated in the steering mechanism housing, the pressure compensation element integrated in the pressure piece;

wherein the pressure compensation element is configured as a porous sintered plastic insert; and

wherein the sintered plastic insert is arranged as a pressed pellet is pressable into a cutout.

2. The rack-and-pinion steering system according to claim 1 , wherein an adjusting screw of the pressure piece includes the pressure compensation element.

3. The rack-and-pinion steering system according to claim 1 , wherein an adjusting screw of the pressure piece is formed of a porous sintered material.

4. The rack-and-pinion steering system according to claim 1 , wherein one of (a) the housing and (b) the adjusting screw of the pressure piece includes the cutout adapted to dimensions of the sintered plastic insert and arranged to accommodate the sintered plastic insert.

5. The rack-and-pinion steering system according to claim 1 , wherein the pressed pellet is formed from ground granules joined to one another by sintering.

6. The rack-and-pinion steering system according to claim 5 , wherein at least one of (a) air permeability values and (b) liquid retention capacity is influenceable by at least one of (a) a size and (b) a shape of the granules.

7. A rack-and-pinion steering system for motor vehicles, comprising:

a pinion;

a rack longitudinally displaceably arranged in a steering mechanism housing, the rack including two ends, each end articulatedly connected to a respective steering tie rod;

a pressure piece configured to maintain the pinion and the rack in constant engagement;

a sealing bellows fastened on one side to the housing and on another side to the steering tie rods; and

at least one pressure compensation element integrated in the steering mechanism housing, the pressure compensation element integrated in the pressure piece;

wherein the pressure compensation element is arranged as one of (a) a disk and (b) a diaphragm.

8. A rack-and-pinion steering system for motor vehicles, comprising:

a pinion;

a rack longitudinally displaceably arranged in a steering mechanism housing, the rack including two ends, each end articulatedly connectable to a respective steering tie rod;

a pressure piece configured to maintain the pinion and the rack in constant engagement;

a sealing bellows fastened on one side to the housing and fastenable on another side to the steering tie rods; and

at least one pressure compensation element integrated in the steering mechanism housing, the pressure compensation element integrated in the pressure piece;

wherein the pressure compensation element is configured as a porous sintered plastic insert; and

wherein the sintered plastic insert is arranged as a pressed pellet is pressable into a cutout.

9. A rack-and-pinion steering system for motor vehicles, comprising:

pinion means;

rack means longitudinally displaceably arranged in a steering mechanism housing means, the rack means including two ends, each end articulatedly connected to a respective steering tie rod means;

means for maintaining the pinion means and the rack means in constant engagement;

sealing bellows means arranged on one side to the housing means and on another side to the steering rod means; and

at least one pressure compensating means integrated in the steering mechanism housing means, the pressure compensating means integrated in the maintaining means;

wherein the pressure compensation means is configured as a porous sintered plastic insert; and

wherein the sintered plastic insert is arranged as a pressed pellet is pressable into a cutout.

10. A rack-and-pinion steering system for motor vehicles, comprising:

a pinion;

a rack longitudinally displaceably arranged in a steering mechanism housing, the rack including two ends, each end articulatedly connectable to a respective steering tie rod;

a pressure piece configured to maintain the pinion and the rack in constant engagement;

a sealing bellows fastened on one side to the housing and fastenable on another side to the steering tie rods; and

at least one pressure compensation element integrated in the steering mechanism housing, the pressure compensation element integrated in the pressure piece;

wherein the pressure compensation element is arranged as one of (a) a disk and (b) a diaphragm.

11. A rack-and-pinion steering system for motor vehicles, comprising:

pinion means;

rack means longitudinally displaceably arranged in a steering mechanism housing means, the rack means including two ends, each end articulatedly connected to a respective steering tie rod means;

means for maintaining the pinion means and the rack means in constant engagement;

sealing bellows means arranged on one side to the housing means and on another side to the steering rod means; and

at least one pressure compensating means integrated in the steering mechanism housing means, the pressure compensating means integrated in the maintaining means;

wherein the pressure compensation means is arranged as one of (a) a disk and (b) a diaphragm.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 20, 2015
From: ZF LENKSYSTEME GMBH
To: ROBERT BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE STEERING GMBH
Reel/Frame 035463/0571 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 15, 2006
From: SCHAENZEL, RAINER
To: ZF LENKSYSTEME GMBH
Reel/Frame 017898/0460 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 102 07 466 · Feb 22, 2002 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20050155810A1 · Jul 21, 2005