Rack and pinion steering system

The introduction of a non-circular cross-sectional profile for the rack shaft and a matching engaging hole in the housing simplifies the assembly of rack-and-pinion steering devices by ensuring proper orientation, thereby improving efficiency and allowing for stronger rack teeth without increased weight.

JP7653131B2Active Publication Date: 2025-03-28NSK STEERING & CONTROL CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021033165
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-03-03
Publication Date
2025-03-28
Estimated Expiration
2041-03-03

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional rack-and-pinion steering devices require complex assembly processes due to the need to align the rack shaft's phase with the pinion shaft before engagement, leading to reduced assembly efficiency and increased man-hours.

Method used

The proposed solution involves a rack-and-pinion steering device with a rack shaft having a non-circular cross-sectional profile and a housing with a corresponding non-circular engaging hole, preventing the rack shaft from rotating and simplifying the assembly process by ensuring proper orientation of the rack teeth with respect to the pinion shaft.

Benefits of technology

This design enhances assembly efficiency by eliminating the need for manual phase alignment of the rack shaft, reduces assembly time, and allows for increased strength of the rack teeth without adding weight to the rack shaft.

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Abstract

To provide a structure of a rack and pinion type steering device that can improve work efficiency in assembly work.SOLUTION: A rack shaft 11 is configured to have an assist-side rack part 35 having a non-circular cross section outline shape in which an assist-side rack tooth 32 that engages with an assist-side pinion shaft is formed. An engagement hole part 22 having a non-circular outline shape, through which the assist-side rack part 35 can be inserted in an axial direction and through which the assist-side rack part 35 cannot be rotated around a central axis of the rack shaft 11, is arranged at a portion of a rack storage part 14 that stores the rack shaft 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5
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