Motor vehicles – Steering gear
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-30
2001-03-06
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)
Motor vehicles
Steering gear
C180S439000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196349
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a steering cylinder mounting system for mounting a steering cylinder to an axle housing of an automobile. In particular, the present invention replaces the conventional bolted joint for securing a steer cylinder to an axle housing with a system that employs a pin and snap ring to prevent axial and rotational movement of the steer cylinder.
b) Description of Related Art
It is well known to provide a steering cylinder to assist the driver in steering a vehicle. Such power steering systems normally use an engine driven pump and hydraulic system to assist steering action. Pressure from an oil pump is used to operate a piston and cylinder assembly. When the control valve routes oil pressure into one end of the piston, the piston slides in its cylinder. Piston movement can then be used to help move the steering system components.
Conventional automotive steering systems employ a steering cylinder bolted to the axle housing.
FIG. 1
illustrates such a conventional bolted joint. As shown in
FIG. 1
, these conventional steering cylinder arrangements include an axle housing
10
supporting a steering knuckle
14
at each end thereof. The steering cylinder
20
is bolted to the axle housing in the manner shown in
FIG. 1
, and the cylinder
20
drives the tie rods
22
which in turn assist in turning the steering knuckles
14
.
The conventional mounting system of
FIG. 1
suffers from a number of drawbacks associated with the manufacture and assembly process. Essentially, the conventional bolted joint requires more hardware, machining of joint parts and requires a relatively long assembly process.
The need therefore exists for a steering cylinder mounting and retention system that overcomes the drawbacks inherent in the prior art, while at the same time providing a reliable system that prevents axial and rotational movement of the steer cylinder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a steering cylinder mounting and retention system that eliminates the bolted joint in favor of a retention system pin and snap ring design that substantially reduces the amount of hardware required for the steer cylinder joint, reduces the amount of machined part and reduces the assembly time of the steer cylinder joint.
The present invention provides a pair of annular axle brackets whereby the steer cylinder is received in both axle brackets. The steer cylinder is retained in the axle brackets by a shoulder, pin or ball, and snap ring assembly. More specifically, the steer cylinder is formed with a seating shoulder that abuts one of the axle brackets, and a slot is provided between the cylinder and axle bracket to prevent rotational movement of the cylinder with respect to the axle bracket. A snap ring arrangement fastens the cylinder against axial movement with respect to the axle cylinder.
The specific arrangement and design of the pin and snap ring will depend on the size and capacity of the steer cylinder and axle housing. For example, at rated cylinder pressure for a currently available commercial vehicle, the cylinder reaction force with the axle housing bracket is about 4000 lbs. and that force can act in either direction along the axis of the cylinder. The pin and snap ring design present in this invention will effectively prevent axial and rotational movement of the steer cylinder during use.
These and other benefits of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the appended drawings.
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patent: 2509081 (1950-05-01), Bluth et al.
patent: 2813732 (1957-11-01), Hird
patent: 3326580 (1967-06-01), Munier et al.
patent: 3750489 (1973-08-01), Caldwell
patent: 3822953 (1974-07-01), Adelizzi
patent: 4139335 (1979-02-01), Wusthof et al.
patent: 4475615 (1984-10-01), Stanek
patent: 4710141 (1987-12-01), Ferguson
patent: 5046870 (1991-09-01), Ordo
patent: 5094312 (1992-03-01), Hakel
patent: 5342154 (1994-08-01), Holzer
patent: 5643022 (1997-07-01), Wagner
patent: 8-310429 (1996-11-01), None
Dewald Gregory T.
Hall Kevin J.
Dana Corporation
Dickson Paul N.
Lerner Avraham H.
Liniak Berenato Longacre & White
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