Patent · US Active

Compact steering mechanism

US8708358B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
6References
41Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 20, 2012
Grant dateApr 29, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 20, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16J15/062
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A compact steering mechanism for steering a vehicle having a steering input being a pinion shaft coupled to a pinion meshing with a rack, and a steering output member coupled to the rack. The pinion is positioned at a middle portion of the rack and the output member is positioned between opposing ends of a rack. The mechanism includes a compact steering housing supporting the pinion shaft and containing the rack-and-pinion. The pinion and pinion shaft have a center axis parallel to an axis of the output member. The output member, being a steering pin and rack carrier, a gear, or a flange, is coupled to left and right tie rod assemblies and wheels for steering the vehicle to improve handling.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.