Importance

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Abstract

A steering assembly or system for vehicles such as a car comprises a speed increasing gear for the turning movement of the car steering wheel located under the steering wheel, at least one flexible shaft having the inner end connected to the speed increasing gear mechanism, and a transmission mechanism connected between the outer end of the flexible shaft and the steered road wheels of the car for transforming and transmitting the turning or rotary movement to a swinging movement of the steered road wheels. In one embodiment, the transmission mechanism includes a speed reduction gear mechanism at the terminal output end of the flexible shaft. In one of the illustrated steering systems the flexible shaft comprises a primary flexible shaft and separate secondary flexible shafts for each of the steerable elements and an intermediate gear train having an output shaft for each steerable element and connected to the speed increasing gear mechanism through the primary flexible shaft and to the reduction gearing through the secondary flexible shafts. The reduction gearing may be connected to a screw type linear actuator which pivots the steerable element upon actuation of the steering member. A shock absorbing mechanism is also provided at the steering element which also transmit torque.

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First Claim