US 12,466,464 B2
Steering rack bending limiter and steering assembly therewith
Adam Zakrzewski, Tychy (PL); Marcin J. Nakielski, Tychy (PL); Jaroslaw B. Bujak, Tychy (PL); and Konrad Kubik, Tychy (PL)
Assigned to Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation, Saginaw, MI (US)
Filed by STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION, Saginaw, MI (US)
Filed on Dec. 2, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/074,031.
Claims priority of application No. 439779 (PL), filed on Dec. 8, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0174140 A1, Jun. 8, 2023
Int. Cl. B62D 3/10 (2006.01); B62D 3/12 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 3/123 (2013.01) [B62D 3/126 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A steering rack bending limiter for inhibiting bending of a steering rack, comprising:
a non-plastic support ring having an annular wall with an outer periphery and an inner periphery, a plurality of rack engagement features extending radially inwardly from the inner periphery, the entire inner periphery, including the plurality of rack engagement features, being arranged for a clearance relation from the steering rack to avoid contact with the steering rack upon being assembled with the steering rack and during a non-bending state of the steering rack, with the rack engagement features being arranged to engage the steering rack during bending of the steering rack to limit the bending of the steering rack.