Under-hood steering gear seal integrity diagnostic system and test method technical field
US-2022402543-A1 · Dec 22, 2022 · US
Steering linkage assembly, seal integrity diagnostic system and test method
US12459567B2 · US · B2
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Publication number | US-12459567-B2 |
| Application number | US-202418582179-A |
| Country | US |
| Kind code | B2 |
| Filing date | Feb 20, 2024 |
| Priority date | Feb 20, 2024 |
| Publication date | Nov 4, 2025 |
| Grant date | Nov 4, 2025 |
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- Title
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- Abstract
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Abstract
Official abstract text for this publication.
A steering linkage assembly includes a steering linkage that is operatively connectable to a pair of road wheels. The steering linkage assembly also includes a housing defining a sealed compartment containing at least a portion of the steering linkage. The steering linkage assembly further includes a first sealing boot operatively coupled to the steering linkage and located proximate a first end of the housing. The steering linkage assembly yet further includes a second sealing boot operatively coupled to the steering linkage and located proximate a second end of the housing, wherein the first sealing boot has at least one distinctive characteristic relative to the second sealing boot to define non-identical sealing boots.
First claim
Opening claim text (preview).
What is claimed is: 1 . A steering linkage assembly comprising: a steering linkage that is operatively connectable to a pair of road wheels; a housing defining a sealed compartment containing at least a portion of the steering linkage; a first sealing boot operatively coupled to the steering linkage and located proximate a first end of the housing; a second sealing boot operatively coupled to the steering linkage and located proximate a second end of the housing, wherein the first sealing boot has at least one distinctive characteristic relative to the second sealing boot to define non-identical sealing boots; and a pressure sensor positioned to detect an internal pressure within the sealed compartment over a range of travel of the steering linkage, wherein a pressure change lower than a pressure change threshold indicates a leak condition of the sealed compartment, wherein the internal pressure over a range of travel of the steering linkage is not symmetric about a center position based on the at least one distinctive characteristic of the first sealing boot relative to the second sealing boot. 2 . The steering linkage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor is at least partially disposed within the first boot. 3 . The steering linkage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor is at least partially disposed within the second boot. 4 . The steering linkage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor is at least partially disposed within the housing. 5 . The steering linkage assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an additional pressure sensor positioned to detect an internal pressure within the sealed compartment over a range of travel of the steering linkage. 6 . The steering linkage assembly of claim 5 , wherein the pressure sensor and the additional pressure sensor are in operative communication with a controller. 7 . The steering seal diagnostic system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor is in operative communication with a controller. 8 . The steering linkage assembly of claim 7 , wherein the controller issues a diagnostic warning if the leak condition is detected. 9 . The steering linkage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one distinctive characteristic is a sealing boot length. 10 . The steering linkage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one distinctive characteristic is a sealing boot diameter. 11 . The steering linkage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one distinctive characteristic is a sealing boot corrugation geometry, overall geometry, overall surface area, stiffness, and/or any other material property. 12 . The steering linkage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one distinctive characteristic is a sealing boot material property. 13 . The steering linkage assembly of claim 12 , wherein the at least one distinctive characteristic is a sealing boot stiffness.
Assignees
Inventors
Classifications
with more than one wheel · CPC title
on a steering column · CPC title
- B62D15/029Primary
Steering assistants using warnings or proposing actions to the driver without influencing the steering system · CPC title
Steering systems · CPC title
characterised by constructional features, e.g. common housing for motor and gear box · CPC title
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Frequently asked questions
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- What does patent US12459567B2 cover?
- A steering linkage assembly includes a steering linkage that is operatively connectable to a pair of road wheels. The steering linkage assembly also includes a housing defining a sealed compartment containing at least a portion of the steering linkage. The steering linkage assembly further includes a first sealing boot operatively coupled to the steering linkage and located proximate a first en…
- Who is the assignee on this patent?
- Steering Solutions Ip Holding
- What technology area does this patent fall under?
- Primary CPC classification B62D15/029. Mapped technology areas include Operations & Transport.
- When was this patent published?
- Publication date Tue Nov 04 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) (B2). Legal status and post-grant events are not shown on this page.
- What related patents are in patentsdb?
- We list 3 related publications on this page (citations in our corpus or others sharing the same primary CPC).