摘要 |
This invention pertains to a rack and pinion type steering gear for an automobile comprising a housing; a pinion rotatably supported in said housing to receive turning effect from a steering wheel of the automobile; and a rack meshed with the pinion and slidably supported in the housing, the rack being connected to a tie rod which is in turn connected to the front wheels of the automobile. The pinion comprises first and second pinion portions rotatable separately from each other and having spiral gear teeth provided reversely to each other, respectively, the first pinion portion being connected to the steering wheel and the second pinion portion being meshed with the rack. The steering gear further comprises reduction or steering ratio variable means including a variable steering ratio sleeve rotatably and axially slidably supported in the housing, having a spiral internal gear meshed with the first pinion portion and being connected to the second pinion portion so as to transmit the turning effect to the second pinion portion, and variable sleeve spiral motion means provided between the engaging surfaces of the housing and the variable sleeve and having a guide groove of variable lead angle and a pin engaged with the guide groove. |