Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-13
2001-02-20
Rice, Kenneth R. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189902
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to vibration isolating mounting systems and more particularly, to a vibration isolating mounting system for a rack and pinion steering gear. More specifically, but without restriction to the particular embodiment and/or use which is shown and described for purposes of illustration, the present invention relates to a vibration isolating mounting system for rack and pinion steering gear which provides increased clearance between the front axle assembly of a four-wheel drive vehicle and the steering gear mounting system.
2. Discussion
It is essential in automotive designs that vehicle components which produce vibration and noise be effectively isolated from the passenger compartment and vehicle steering system. Steering gear assemblies are commonly subject to vibrations emanating from road conditions wherein shocks and vibrations emanating from the steerable road wheels of the vehicle are transmitted to the steering gear assembly through the steering linkage.
Various mounting systems for steering gear assemblies have been developed to inhibit the transmission of vibration into the vehicle steering gear assembly. These systems, however, tend to be cumbersome to assemble due to their typical use of numerous washers and retaining nuts. These systems also typically require substantial room for the installation and servicing of the steering gear assembly. This latter drawback is of particular significance when the component “packaging” space of a vehicle is limited, as is typically the case with a four-wheel drive vehicles where the vehicle front axle consumes a large portion of this packaging space.
Consequently, there remains a need in the art for a mounting system for a vehicle steering gear assembly having a reduced the number of components which permits the steering gear assembly to be easily installed and serviced and which consumes less packaging space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the present invention to provide a mounting system for a vehicle steering system which is more compact in design.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a mounting system for a vehicle steering system which permits the steering gear assembly to be easily removed and installed.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a mounting system for a vehicle steering system which utilizes a reduced number of components.
A mounting system for a vehicle steering system is provided. The mounting system includes a bushing, an isolator and a fastener. The bushing includes a retaining flange and a threaded internal cavity. The isolator includes a hollow body portion and a first end wall. The isolator is installed to a steering gear assembly such that the inner surface of the end wall contacts one surface of the steering gear housing. The bushing is installed through the isolator such that the retaining flange contacts an outer surface of one of the end walls. The steering gear assembly is positioned against a vehicle chassis such that the exterior surface of the other end wall contacts a structural member. The fastener is installed through the structural member and threadably engages the internally threaded cavity. The bushing limits the amount of clamping force transmitted to the end walls and permits the isolator to effectively dampen noise and vibration.
Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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patent: 5183286 (1993-02-01), Ayabe
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Blackburn Eric B.
Lenzen, Jr. Richard A.
Santori John F.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Fuller III Roland A.
Rice Kenneth R.
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