The Steering System:
Power Steering Gearbox
The gearbox in an integral power steering system is basically a manual gearbox adapted to include a power assist package. Integral power steering gearboxes are of two types: offset and in-line.
The offset type has a recirculating-ball gearbox with a rack meshed to the pitman sector gear above or on the opposite side of the ball nut. The power steering force is developed in the power piston, which is offset from the worm and nut and attached to the rack.
The in-line design uses the recirculating ball-nut assembly as a power piston. In this design, the ball nut is sealed inside a cylindrical portion of the steering gear housing. The power steering effect is produced by alternately pressurizing either side of the power piston. |