DYNAMIC ADJUSTMENT OF A STEERING SYSTEM YOKE

摘要

An apparatus for urging components of power steering system into engagement includes a rack including gear teeth, a pinion including gear teeth engaged with the gear teeth of the rack, a yoke bearing contacting the rack, a spring for resiliency contacting the yoke and urging the rack into engagement with the pinion, a source of variable hydraulic pressure communicating with the yoke bearing and applying to the yoke bearing a force that urges the rack into engagement with the pinion, and a valve that opens a connection between the pressure source and the yoke bearing at a first speed in response to a first pressure magnitude at the pressure source and that closes said connection at a second speed slower than the first speed when pressure at the pressure source decreases relative to the first pressure magnitude.