Development of a Rack Seal for Power Steering system, Durable in the Extremely High Pressure Condition as 15.7MPa

As the size and weight ofrack and pinion power steering system are being reduced to meet CAFE requirements, the hydraulic fluid pressure in the system is expected to rise. Therefore, the authors carried out high pressure durability tests on rack seals and evaluated their characteristic values, together with the FEM stress analysis and the evaluation of high temperature resistance of rubber materials.

Consequently, a new rack seal for power steering, durable even under such a high pressure as 15.7MPa, is developed by modifying designs of the backup ring and metal case and changing the rubber material.