A grease compensation mechanism for a rack and pinion steering gear

Abstract

The present invention discloses a grease compensation mechanism for a rack-and-pinion steering gear, comprising a gear shaft, a housing, a rack, grease, and a grease compensation mechanism. A rack is inserted into the housing through a bushing. The housing is a long cylindrical through-hole structure with two radially connected through-holes distributed at both ends of the housing. A reinforcing rib is provided around the left through-hole. A through-hole for connecting the gear shaft is provided in the housing perpendicular to the left through-hole. The through-hole is connected to the grease compensation mechanism. The grease compensation mechanism is an integrated mechanism consisting of a rack support seat, an opening and closing member, an opening and closing member screw, a support seat adjusting screw plug, a sealing block, a sealing block spring, an end cover, and a sealing plug. The present invention is ingeniously designed and effectively solves the problem of abnormal friction noise in the current steering system aftermarket, increases the durability of rack-and-pinion steering gears, and improves steering gear performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of automobile rack and pinion steering gears, in particular to a grease compensation mechanism applied to rack and pinion steering gears. Background Art

[0002] The rack-and-pinion steering gear is the most common type of steering gear. Its basic structure consists of a pair of meshing pinions and a rack. When the steering shaft rotates the pinion, the rack moves linearly. Sometimes, the rack directly drives the tie rods to steer the steering wheel. Its advantages include a simple structure, low cost, sensitive steering, and compact size. The ability to directly drive the tie rods makes it widely used in automobiles.

[0003] Although this type of steering gear has a simple structure, after a certain period of use, the grease base oil of the rack and pinion steering gear will precipitate at the rack and pinion pair and bushing positions, resulting in a lack of grease lubrication between the parts, which can easily cause problems such as abnormal friction and accelerated wear. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned technical deficiencies, the purpose of the present invention is to solve the problem that the existing rack and pinion steering gear is prone to friction noise and accelerated wear after being used for a certain period of time.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] The present invention provides a grease compensation mechanism for a rack and pinion steering gear, comprising a gear shaft 1, a housing 2, a rack 4, grease 5, and a grease compensation mechanism 3. The rack 4 is inserted into the housing 1 through a bushing 402. The housing 1 is a long cylindrical through-hole structure with two radially connected through-holes distributed at both ends of the housing 1. The left-end through-hole is provided with reinforcing ribs around the body, and the housing 1 perpendicular to the left-end through-hole is provided with a through-hole connecting the gear shaft 1. The through-hole is connected to the grease compensation mechanism 3. The grease compensation mechanism 3 is an integrated mechanism consisting of a rack support seat 301, an opening and closing piece 302, an opening and closing piece spring 303, a support seat spring 304, a support seat adjusting screw plug 305, a sealing block 306, a sealing block spring 307, an end cover 308, a sealing plug 309, a screw 310, and a wear block 311. The rack support seat 301 is located at the top of the through-hole and contacts the rack 4. The contact surface with the rack 4 is provided with an opening The wear block 311 of the closing spring 303 seals the passage through the rack support seat 301 and is closed by the elastic force of the spring. The rack support seat 301 is provided with a support seat adjusting screw plug 305 at the bottom. A support seat spring 304 is provided between the support seat adjusting screw plug 305 and the rack support seat 301. A through passage is provided in the middle of the support seat adjusting screw plug 305 that communicates with the passage of the rack support seat 301. The channel 5 is provided with an opening and closing member 302 with an opening and closing member spring 303, and the opening and closing member spring 303 and the opening and closing member 302 are locked by a screw 310. The other end of the channel of the support seat adjusting screw plug 305 is connected to the grease 5 inside the support seat screw plug 305, and the grease 5 is sealed by the sealing block 306 and the sealing plug 309. The sealing block 306 and the sealing plug 309 are covered with an end cover 308, and a spring 307 is also provided between the end cover 308 and the sealing block 306.

[0007] Preferably, a sealing ring is provided between the various components.

[0008] Preferably, the grease compensation mechanism 3 performs oil replenishment by means of the relative movement of the gear rack 4 during operation.

[0009] Preferably, the grease compensation mechanism 3 is provided with a wear block 311 for controlling the working state of the grease compensation mechanism 3 .

[0010] Preferably, the grease compensation mechanism 3 is provided with an opening and closing member 302 and an opening and closing member spring 303 for controlling the flow direction of the grease 5 .

[0011] Preferably, the support seat adjusting screw plug 305 is provided with an oil storage tank.

[0012] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0013] The compensation mechanism in the present invention has a simple structure and ingenious design. It can automatically add grease to the steering gear under preset conditions, solving the problem of after-sales returns caused by abnormal friction noise and accelerated wear of steering system products, increasing the durability of the rack and pinion steering gear, improving the performance of the steering gear, and reducing after-sales maintenance costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a grease compensation mechanism applied to a rack and pinion steering gear provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the exploded assembly;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the grease compensation mechanism structure;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the grease compensation mechanism structure;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the grease compensation mechanism.

[0020] Explanation of the accompanying drawings: 1. Gear shaft; 2. Housing; 3. Grease compensation mechanism; 301. Rack support seat; 302. Opening and closing member; 303. Opening and closing member spring; 304. Support seat spring; 305. Support seat adjustment screw plug; 306. Sealing block; 307. Sealing block spring; 308. End cover; 309. Sealing plug; 310. Screw; 311. Wear block; 4. Rack; 401. Housing cover; 402. Bushing; 5. Grease. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Specific embodiments

[0022] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, a grease compensation mechanism for a rack and pinion steering gear includes a gear shaft 1, a housing 2, a rack 4, grease 5, and a grease compensation mechanism 3. The rack 4 is inserted into the housing 1 through a bushing 402. The housing 1 is a long cylindrical through-hole structure with two radially connected through-holes distributed at both ends of the housing 1. The left-end through-hole is provided with reinforcing ribs around the body, and the housing 2 perpendicular to the left-end through-hole is provided with a through-hole connecting the gear shaft 1. The through-hole is connected to the grease compensation mechanism 3. The grease compensation mechanism 3 is an integrated mechanism consisting of a rack support seat 301, an opening and closing piece 302, an opening and closing piece spring 303, a support seat spring 304, a support seat adjusting screw plug 305, a sealing block 306, a sealing block spring 307, an end cover 308, a sealing plug 309, a screw 310, and a wear block 311. The rack support seat 301 is located at the top of the through-hole and contacts with the rack 4. The contact surface with the rack 4 is provided with an opening and closing member. The wear block 311 of the spring 303 of the component is sealed, and the wear block 311 seals the channel through the rack support seat 301 and is closed by the elastic force of the spring. The lower part of the rack support seat 301 is provided with a support seat adjusting screw plug 305, and a support seat spring 304 is provided between the support seat adjusting screw plug 305 and the rack support seat 301. The middle of the support seat adjusting screw plug 305 is provided with a through channel communicating with the channel of the rack support seat 301. The support seat adjusting screw plug 305 is provided with a through channel communicating with the channel of the rack support seat 301. The channel is provided with an opening and closing part 302 with an opening and closing part spring 303, and the opening and closing part spring 303 and the opening and closing part 302 are locked by a screw 310. The other end of the channel of the support seat adjusting screw plug 305 is connected to the grease 5 inside the support seat screw plug 305, and the grease 5 is sealed by the sealing block 306 and the sealing plug 309. The sealing block 306 and the sealing plug 309 are covered with an end cover 308, and a spring 307 is also provided between the end cover 308 and the sealing block 306.

[0023] Furthermore, sealing rings are provided between the various components.

[0024] Furthermore, the grease compensation mechanism 3 performs oil replenishment by means of the relative movement of the gear rack 4 during operation.

[0025] Furthermore, the grease compensation mechanism 3 is provided with a wear block 311 for controlling the working state of the grease compensation mechanism 3 .

[0026] Furthermore, the grease compensation mechanism 3 is provided with an opening and closing member 302 and an opening and closing member spring 303 for controlling the flow direction of the grease 5 .

[0027] Furthermore, the support seat adjusting screw plug 305 is provided with an oil storage tank.

[0028] The usage principles and steps are as follows:

[0029] When the rack and pinion steering gear is used for a preset time or a preset life, the ball head at the end of the wear block 311 and the sealing surface of the rack support seat 301, the contact area and the working area are separated. When the rack 4 continues to drive the rack support seat 301 close to the rack support seat adjusting screw 305, the pressure in the working area continues to increase. Under the action of the opening and closing member spring 303 and the pressure of the working area, the opening and closing member 302 contacts the sealing surface, separating the working area from the grease storage area. At the same time, under the action of the pressure in the working area, the opening and closing member 302 is separated from the sealing surface, connecting the working area and the contact area, and the grease 5 flows from the working area to the contact area.

[0030] When the pressure exerted by the rack 4 on the rack support seat 301 decreases or disappears, the rack support seat spring 304 pushes the rack support seat 301 away from the rack support seat adjusting screw plug 305. Under the action of the opening and closing member spring 303, the wear block 311 contacts the sealing surface again, separating the contact area from the working area. At this time, the pressure in the grease storage area is higher than that in the working area. Under the action of the high pressure in the grease storage area, the opening and closing member 302 is separated from the sealing surface, and the working area and the grease storage area are reconnected. The grease 5 flows from the grease storage area to the working area, and so on. The grease 5 in the grease storage area will be continuously transported to the contact area.

[0031] After the rack and pinion steering gear has worked for a certain life or under certain working conditions, such as the car mileage reaches 3W or the wear reaches 0.03mm, the grease 5 originally applied to the contact parts between the rack 4 and the rack support seat 301 and the contact parts between the rack 4 and the bushing is reduced. At this time, the head of the wear block 311 is worn to a preset length under the pressure of the opening and closing spring 303. The head of the wear block 311 contacts the sealing surface on the rack support seat 301 assembly under the pressure of the opening and closing spring 303. At this time, the working area and the contact area are separated, and the grease compensation mechanism 3 starts to replenish grease. With the help of the relative movement between the rack support seat assembly and the rack support seat assembly adjustment plug, the grease 5 will continuously flow from the grease storage area to the contact area due to the change in pressure in the working area. Beneficial effects

[0032] The compensation mechanism in the present invention has a simple structure and ingenious design. It can automatically add grease to the steering gear under preset conditions, solving the problem of after-sales returns caused by abnormal friction noise and accelerated wear of steering system products, increasing the durability of the rack and pinion steering gear, improving the performance of the steering gear, and reducing after-sales maintenance costs.

[0033] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the present invention is intended to include such changes and modifications.

Claims

1. A grease compensation mechanism for a rack and pinion steering gear, comprising a gear shaft (1), a housing (2), a rack (4), grease (5), and a grease compensation mechanism (3). The rack (4) is inserted into the housing (2) through a bushing (402). The housing (2) is a long cylindrical through-hole structure, and two communicating through-holes are radially provided, distributed at both ends of the housing (2). A reinforcing rib is provided around the through-hole at the left end. The housing (2) is perpendicular to the through-hole at the left end and is provided with a through-hole connected to the gear shaft (1). The through-hole is connected to the grease compensation mechanism (3). The grease compensation mechanism ( 3) An integrated mechanism consisting of a rack support seat (301), an opening and closing member (302), an opening and closing member spring (303), a support seat spring (304), a support seat adjusting screw plug (305), a sealing block (306), a sealing block spring (307), an end cover (308), a sealing plug (309), a screw (310), and a wear block (311), wherein the rack support seat (301) is located at the top of the through hole and contacts the rack (4), and a wear block (311) with an opening and closing member spring (303) is provided on the contact surface with the rack (4), and the wear block (311) seals the rack support seat (301) 301), and is closed by the elastic force of the spring, the lower part of the rack support seat (301) is provided with a support seat adjusting screw plug (305), a support seat spring (304) is provided between the support seat adjusting screw plug (305) and the rack support seat (301), a through channel communicating with the channel of the rack support seat (301) is provided in the middle of the support seat adjusting screw plug (305), an opening and closing member (302) with an opening and closing member spring (303) is provided in the channel of the support seat adjusting screw plug (305), the opening and closing member (302) and its own opening and closing member spring (303) are connected by screws (310 ) is locked, the other end of the channel of the support seat adjusting screw plug (305) is connected to the grease (5) inside the support seat adjusting screw plug (305), and the grease (5) is sealed by the sealing block (306) and the sealing plug (309), and the sealing block (306) and the sealing plug (309) are covered with an end cover (308), and a spring (307) is further provided between the end cover (308) and the sealing block (306), and the grease compensation mechanism (3) is provided with a wear block (311) for controlling the working state of the grease compensation mechanism (3), and the support seat adjusting screw plug (305) is provided with an oil storage tank.

2. The grease compensation mechanism for a rack and pinion steering gear according to claim 1, characterized in that: The grease compensation mechanism (3) performs oil replenishment by means of the relative movement of the gear rack (4) during operation.

3. The grease compensation mechanism for a rack and pinion steering gear according to claim 1, characterized in that: The grease compensation mechanism (3) is provided with an opening and closing member (302) and an opening and closing member spring (303) for controlling the flow direction of the grease (5).

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