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Variable ratio rack and pinion steering gear

  • US 4,444,070 A
  • Filed: 08/31/1981
  • Issued: 04/24/1984
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1980
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A variable ratio rack and pinion steering gear comprising:

  • a circular driving pinion having a plurality of teeth and an axis of rotation and an addendum circle concentric with said axis of rotation, the teeth of the pinion being formed to correctly mesh with a uniformly toothed rack profile and to provide a variable pitch circle radius, said variable radius having a maximum at a predetermined position of the pinion and gradually reducing in accordance with rotary movement of the pinion in either direction from said predetermined position and having a minimum at 180°

    of rotary movement from said predetermined position; and

    a driven rack adapted to mesh with said pinion, the teeth of the rack being formed from a profile of said pinion teeth to provide a variable ratio between the pinion and the rack, said rack having a first group of teeth of variable shape and size and a second group of teeth of uniform shape and size.

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