Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-29
2002-07-30
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
C280S124109, C280S781000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06425592
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a steering gear frame, which is formed by integrating a conventional suspension sub-frame and a steering gear box with each other to support a steering gearbox assembly and a control links of a suspension system.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Generally, a conventional suspension sub-frame is a part of a front wheel suspension system that is laterally arranged on a vehicle body to connect the suspension system to the vehicle body
Accordingly, since the suspension sub-frame highly affects the rigidity of the vehicle, it has to have rigidity higher than a predetermined level.
FIGS. 5 and 6
show a conventional suspension sub-frame and a steering gearbox supported by the sub-frame.
As shown in the drawings, the conventional suspension sub-frame
100
comprises upper and lower plates
102
and
104
formed through a press process. The upper and lower plates
102
and
104
are joined together at their flange portions through a welding process, thereby defining a sealed tube having a predetermined shape.
The upper plate
102
is elevated at its rear-middle portion to define an elevated portion
106
on both sides of which mounting brackets
110
are formed. The steering gearbox assembly
108
is fixed on the brackets
110
by fasteners
112
.
In addition, the suspension sub-frame frame
100
is provided with mounts
114
for mounting on the vehicle body.
When the suspension sub-frame
100
and the steering gearbox assembly
108
are separately made and assembled together, the suspension sub-frame
100
should be formed having a sufficient rigidity so that it works well, resulting in increasing its size and weight.
Furthermore, the elevated portion
106
for supporting the steering gearbox assembly
108
causes an increase of weight and a reduction in space in the engine compartment.
In addition, the assembly of the suspension sub-frame
100
and the steering gearbox assembly
108
is time-consuming and increases the manufacturing costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the present invention is made in an effort to solve the above-described problems.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a steering gear frame that is minimized in its size and increased in its rigidity, thereby increasing the engine compartment space and reducing the weight of the vehicle body.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a steering gear frame having a simple structure that can be easily assembled, thereby shortening the assembling time and reducing the manufacturing costs.
To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a steering gear frame comprising upper and lower plates joined together at flange portions to define an inner space; a steering gearbox disposed to directly contact at least one of the upper and lower plates without using a bracket; and means for fixing the steering gearbox in a state where the steering gearbox is disposed to directly contact at least one of the upper and lower plates.
According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the upper plate is provided with a concave portion indented toward the inner space, the steering gearbox is closely disposed in the concave portion, and the means for fixing comprises a fixing plate welded on the upper plate while covering the steering gearbox.
According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the lower plate is provided with a concave portion indented toward the inner space, the steering gearbox is closely disposed in the concave portion, and the means for fixing comprises a fixing plate fixed on the lower plate while covering the steering gearbox.
According to a third embodiment of the present invention, the steering gearbox is fixed in the inner space defined between the upper and lower plates. The steering gear frame may further comprise a reinforcing plate fixed on the lower plate while defining a predetermined space.
According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the upper plate is provided with a concave portion indented toward the inner space, the steering gearbox is closely disposed in the concave portion, and the means for fixing comprises welding which fixes the steering gearbox on the upper plate.
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patent: 5112253 (1993-05-01), None
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Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Hyundai Motor Company
Johnson Brian L.
Sliteris Joselynn Y.
LandOfFree
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