STEERING RACK STEERING BOX | STEERING PUMP
The Steering Rack of a motor vehicle or rack and pinion is a linear actuator that comprises a pair of gears which convert rotational motion into linear motion. A gear is a rotating machine part having cut teeth, or cogs, which mesh with another toothed part in order to transmit toque. A gear called "the pinion gear" which works similarly to a “worm gear” which engages teeth on a “linear gear" or bar with teeth along one side, called "the rack". When the steering wheel shaft is turned and rotational motion is applied to the pinion and this worming type of motion is what causes the rack to move to the left side or the right side of the pinion. Like other gear arrangements, a pinion can reduce rotational speed or allow higher torque to be transmitted. This motion translates the rotational motion of the pinion into the linear motion of the rack thereby turning the wheels of the vehicle in the direction of the steering wheel. The steering rack is mostly power assisted by the hydraulic power steering pump which enables easy turning of the vehicles wheels, especially when stationary or when moving slowly.
The rack and pinion arrangement is generally found in the steering mechanism of motor vehicles. The use of a variable rack, which still uses a normal pinion, was invented by Arthur Bishop to improve vehicle response and steering at high speeds. He created a specialized version of a net-shape warm press forging process to manufacture the racks to their final form, thus eliminating any subsequent need to machine the gear teeth simplifying the manufacturing process considerably. For every pair of conjugate involute profiles, there is a basic rack. This basic rack is the profile of the conjugate gear of infinite pitch radius.
In early 20th century automobiles prior to the introduction of power steering had the problems of direct steering forces transmitted through the wheels and steering mechanisms that were used to steer the vehicle. The effect of a flat or blowout on one of the front wheels would tend to pull the steering mechanism toward the side with the flat tire. The employment of a worm screw reduced this effect. Further development of the worm drive employed recirculating ball bearings to reduce frictional forces, allowing some of the steering force to be felt in the wheel as an aid to vehicle control and greatly reducing wear.
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