VEHICLE RACK AND PINION STEERING

摘要

The vehicle rack and pinion steering system (10) has an elongated rack bar (14). Tie rod connectors (102 and 106) are provided on the ends (100 and 102) of the bar (14). A rack gear teeth section (108) is provided on the rack bar (14) in a position parallel to and spaced from the rack axis (72). A cylindrical bearing surface (76) is on the opposite side of the rack axis (72) from the rack gear teeth section (108). The bearing surface (76) has a fixed radius and is concentric with the rack axis (72). The rack section (108) width is at least twice the fixed radius. Secondary bearing contact surfaces (118) join the bearing surface (76), extend toward the rack gear teeth section (108) and diverge from each other. Contact between the bearing (70) and surface (118) shifts the point of convergence of forces on the rack (14) toward the pitch point (91).