Rack and pinion gear bearing support
US4296641A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 1980 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/1967
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A rack and pinion gear set wherein a driving pinion having spur gear or helical gear teeth rotates to produce axial displacement of the rack member has a saddle bearing located above the pinion for supporting the rack shaft. The saddle bearing furnishes support surfaces, which engage complementary support surfaces on the rack shaft. The surfaces have a center of curvature located at approximately the center of the contact area on the face of the pinion teeth. A second embodiment has a cradle bearing for supporting the rack shaft on planar surfaces and has, at its outer periphery, a cylindrical surface which is held by a saddle bearing. The center of curvature of the cylindrical surface is likewise located approximately at the mean contact surface on the pinion teeth faces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.