HYDRAULIC MOTOR DRIVEN RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A rack and pinion steering apparatus for a heavy-duty vehicle, comprising:
- a housing;
a gear rack slidably coupled to the housing and comprising a plurality of rack gear teeth, wherein the gear rack is moveable between a first lateral position and a second lateral position;
a pinion gear comprising a plurality of pinion gear teeth in meshing engagement with the plurality of rack gear teeth;
a hydraulic motor comprising an output shaft coupled to and configured to rotate the pinion gear; and
a limiter coupled to the housing and configured to reduce an output steering force of the gear rack, wherein the limiter comprises a stop block releasably coupled to the gear rack with a fastener, and wherein the gear rack defines a slot configured to receive the stop block.
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Abstract
A rack and pinion steering apparatus for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a housing, a gear rack slidably coupled to the housing and including a plurality of rack gear teeth, and a pinion gear including a plurality of pinion gear teeth in meshing engagement with the plurality of rack gear teeth. The apparatus also includes a hydraulic motor including an output shaft coupled to and configured to rotate the pinion gear and a limiter coupled to the housing and configured to reduce an output steering force of the gear rack.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A rack and pinion steering apparatus for a heavy-duty vehicle, comprising:
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a housing; a gear rack slidably coupled to the housing and comprising a plurality of rack gear teeth, wherein the gear rack is moveable between a first lateral position and a second lateral position; a pinion gear comprising a plurality of pinion gear teeth in meshing engagement with the plurality of rack gear teeth; a hydraulic motor comprising an output shaft coupled to and configured to rotate the pinion gear; and a limiter coupled to the housing and configured to reduce an output steering force of the gear rack, wherein the limiter comprises a stop block releasably coupled to the gear rack with a fastener, and wherein the gear rack defines a slot configured to receive the stop block. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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2-4. -4. (canceled)
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10-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A rack and pinion steering apparatus for a heavy-duty vehicle, comprising:
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a housing; a gear rack slidably coupled to the housing and comprising a plurality of rack gear teeth, wherein the gear rack is moveable between a first lateral position and a second lateral position; a pinion gear comprising a plurality of pinion gear teeth in meshing engagement with the plurality of rack gear teeth; a hydraulic motor comprising an output shaft coupled to and configured to rotate the pinion gear; and a limiter coupled to the housing and configured to reduce an output steering force of the gear rack, wherein the limiter includes; a stop block coupled to the gear rack; and a relief valve having an engagement member configured to interface with the stop block when the gear rack is in the first lateral position. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification