Worm and gear gap adjusting structure

Abstract

The worm gear gap adjusting structure comprises a pressing spring, a locking piece, a bearing outer fixing sleeve which is arranged at one end of a worm gear, and a bearing sleeve, one end of the pressing spring penetrates through the bearing sleeve and abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the bearing, the other end of the pressing spring is connected with a spring mounting block on a steering column housing, the extension direction of the spring mounting block is the same as the extension direction of the pressing spring, the locking piece is used for locking the pressing spring on the spring mounting block, and the locking position of the locking piece on the pressing spring is adjustable. The worm gear gap adjusting structure can better realize the adjustment of the worm gear gap, the gap adjustment of the worm gear and the software parameter adjustment can be combined in the calibration process of the steering system, so that the dependence on the software performance is reduced, and better steering feeling can be calibrated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of vehicle steering systems, specifically relating to a worm gear clearance adjustment structure. Background Technology

[0002] In the current design and development of automotive steering column assemblies, the clearance between the worm gear and worm shaft is a fixed value. During steering system calibration, software parameters are adjusted to ultimately determine a suitable steering feel. This means that steering feel calibration relies solely on software optimization to achieve the desired feel parameters, making it impossible to adjust both the hardware (steering column assembly) and software states. Therefore, how to adjust the clearance between the worm gear and worm shaft has become a pressing technical problem that needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a worm gear clearance adjustment structure to solve the above-mentioned technical problems in the prior art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0005] A worm gear backlash adjustment structure includes a clamping spring and a locking member. A bearing sleeve is fixedly fitted onto the bearing at one end of the worm gear. One end of the clamping spring passes through the bearing sleeve and abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the bearing. The other end of the clamping spring is used to connect to a spring mounting block on a steering column housing. The extension direction of the spring mounting block is the same as the extension direction of the clamping spring. The locking member is used to lock the clamping spring onto the spring mounting block, and the locking position of the locking member on the clamping spring is adjustable.

[0006] Preferably, one end of the clamping spring for connecting with the bearing sleeve is bent downward to form a claw, the upper part of the bearing sleeve is provided with a through hole, the lower end of the claw passes through the through hole and abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the bearing, and the through hole extends radially along the bearing sleeve.

[0007] Preferably, the bearing sleeve has an annular groove at the middle of its outer circumferential surface, and the through hole is located in the annular groove.

[0008] Preferably, the section of the clamping spring for connecting with the spring mounting block is provided with a plurality of first mounting holes, each of the first mounting holes being distributed along the extending direction of the clamping spring; the spring mounting block is provided with a plurality of second mounting holes, each of the second mounting holes being opposite to each of the first mounting holes; the locking member locks the clamping spring onto the spring mounting block through the first mounting holes and the second mounting holes.

[0009] Preferably, each of the first mounting holes is evenly distributed in the extension direction of the clamping spring.

[0010] Preferably, the locking component includes a fixing bolt and a fixing nut, wherein the threaded section of the fixing bolt passes through the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole and then engages with the fixing nut.

[0011] Preferably, the second mounting hole is a threaded hole, and the locking member is a locking screw, wherein the threaded section of the locking screw passes through the first mounting hole and engages with the second mounting hole.

[0012] Preferably, the section of the clamping spring for connecting with the spring mounting block is provided with a first elongated hole, the extension direction of the first elongated hole being the same as the extension direction of the clamping spring, and the spring mounting block is provided with a second elongated hole opposite to the first elongated hole; the locking component includes a locking bolt and a locking nut, the threaded section of the locking bolt passing through the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole and engaging with the locking nut, and the threaded section of the locking bolt slidingly engaging with both the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole.

[0013] Preferably, the clamping spring includes a connecting segment and a mounting segment for connecting to the spring mounting block, the claw is located on the connecting segment at the end away from the mounting segment, and the first mounting hole is located on the mounting segment; both the mounting segment and the connecting segment are rectangular plate structures, and the width of the connecting segment is smaller than the width of the mounting segment.

[0014] Preferably, the connecting segment is connected to the middle of the end face of the mounting segment near one end of the connecting segment.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0016] The worm gear clearance adjustment structure of this invention, in use, adjusts the locking position of the locking member on the clamping spring, allowing the locking position to move closer to or further away from the bearing. This adjusts the length of the clamping spring located between the locking position and the bearing, thereby adjusting the force exerted by the clamping spring on the bearing. This, in turn, adjusts the force exerted by the clamping spring on the worm through the bearing, thus adjusting the worm gear clearance and consequently, the steering feel. Therefore, this invention effectively adjusts the worm gear clearance, allowing for the combination of worm gear clearance adjustment and software parameter adjustment during steering system calibration. This reduces reliance on software performance and facilitates the calibration of a better steering feel. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly described below, and the specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein...

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the worm gear clearance adjustment structure provided in this embodiment of the invention during use;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing one end of the clamping spring passing through the bearing sleeve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the steering column housing provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a front view of the clamping spring provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a bottom view of the clamping spring provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a front view of a locking screw provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 A top view of a locking screw provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 8 This is a front view of the bearing sleeve provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 9 A bottom view of the bearing sleeve provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 10 A left view of the bearing sleeve provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the worm gear and worm shaft engaging in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Marked in the attached diagram:

[0030] 11. Clamping spring; 12. First mounting hole; 13. Mounting section; 14. Connecting section.

[0031] 15. Clamping jaws; 21. Locking screws; 31. Worm gear; 32. Bearing sleeve; 33. Worm.

[0032] 34. Perforation; 35. Annular groove; 36. Bearing; 41. Steering column housing.

[0033] 42. Spring mounting block; 43. Through hole; 44. Second mounting hole. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present solution will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0035] like Figures 1 to 11 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a worm gear backlash adjustment structure, which includes a clamping spring 11 and a locking member. A bearing sleeve 32 is fixedly fitted onto the bearing 36 at one end of the worm 33. One end of the clamping spring 11 passes through the bearing sleeve 32 and abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the bearing 36. The other end of the clamping spring 11 is used to connect to a spring mounting block 42 on the steering column housing 41. The extending direction of the spring mounting block 42 is the same as the extending direction of the clamping spring 11. The locking member is used to lock the clamping spring 11 onto the spring mounting block 42. The locking position of the locking member on the clamping spring 11 is adjustable.

[0036] The worm gear clearance adjustment structure provided in this embodiment of the invention adjusts the locking position of the locking member on the clamping spring 11 during use. This allows the locking position to move closer to or further away from the bearing 36, adjusting the length of the clamping spring 11 located between the locking position and the bearing 36. This adjusts the force exerted by the clamping spring 11 on the bearing 36, thereby adjusting the force exerted by the clamping spring 11 on the worm 33 through the bearing 36. Consequently, the clearance between the worm gear and worm is adjusted, thus improving the steering feel. Therefore, this invention effectively adjusts the clearance between the worm gear and worm, allowing for a combination of clearance adjustment and software parameter adjustment during steering system calibration. This reduces reliance on software performance and facilitates the calibration of a better steering feel.

[0037] Furthermore, the end of the clamping spring 11 that is connected to the bearing sleeve is bent downward to form a claw 15. The upper part of the bearing sleeve 32 is provided with a through hole 34. The lower end of the claw passes through the through hole 34 and abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the bearing 36. The through hole extends radially along the bearing sleeve, thereby conveniently realizing the abutment of the end of the clamping spring away from the steering column housing against the bearing through the claw.

[0038] Specifically, the bearing sleeve 32 has an annular groove 35 at the middle of its outer circumferential surface, and the through hole 34 is located in the annular groove.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of first mounting holes 12 are provided on the section of the clamping spring 11 that is connected to the spring mounting block, and each of the first mounting holes 12 is distributed along the extending direction of the clamping spring; a plurality of second mounting holes 44 are provided on the spring mounting block 42, and each of the second mounting holes 44 is opposite to each of the first mounting holes 12; the locking member locks the clamping spring onto the spring mounting block through the first mounting holes and the second mounting holes. Using this scheme, by using the locking member to lock the clamping spring through different first mounting holes and second mounting holes, the locking position of the clamping spring can be adjusted.

[0040] Preferably, each of the first mounting holes 12 is evenly distributed in the extending direction of the clamping spring 11.

[0041] In one embodiment, the locking element includes a fixing bolt and a fixing nut. The threaded section of the fixing bolt passes through the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole and engages with the fixing nut. Using this method, by having the threaded section of the fixing bolt pass through the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole and engage with the fixing nut for tightening, the locking position of the clamping spring can be adjusted.

[0042] In another embodiment, the second mounting hole is a threaded hole, and the locking member is a locking screw 21. The threaded section of the locking screw 21 passes through the first mounting hole 12 and engages with the second mounting hole 44. Using this method, by having the threaded section of the locking screw pass through the first mounting hole and engage with the threaded section of the second mounting hole for tightening, the clamping spring can be locked. By having the threaded section of the locking screw pass through different first mounting holes and tighten with different second mounting holes, the locking position of the clamping spring can be adjusted.

[0043] In another embodiment of the present invention, a first elongated hole is provided on a section of the clamping spring for connection with the spring mounting block. The extension direction of the first elongated hole is the same as the extension direction of the clamping spring. A second elongated hole is provided on the spring mounting block opposite to the first elongated hole. The locking component includes a locking bolt and a locking nut. The screw section of the locking bolt passes through the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole and engages with the locking nut. The screw section of the locking bolt is slidably engaged with both the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole. Using this scheme, by allowing the screw section of the locking bolt to slide in the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole, and then locking it with the locking nut, the locking position of the clamping spring can be adjusted.

[0044] like Figure 4and Figure 5 As shown, the clamping spring 11 includes a connecting section 14 and a mounting section 13 connected in sequence for connecting to the spring mounting block. The claw 15 is located on the connecting section 14 at the end away from the mounting section, and the first mounting hole 12 is located on the mounting section 13. Both the mounting section and the connecting section are rectangular plate structures, and the width of the connecting section is smaller than the width of the mounting section, thereby making the clamping spring lighter. It can be understood that the thickness of the connecting section can be the same as the thickness of the mounting section, that is, the width and thickness of the claw are the same as the width and thickness of the connecting section.

[0045] Specifically, the connecting segment is connected to the middle portion of the end face of the mounting segment near one end of the connecting segment. It is understood that, as... Figure 3 As shown, the steering column housing 41 is provided with a through hole 43 opposite to the through hole 34. After the pawl passes through the through hole 43 and the through hole 34, it abuts against the bearing 36 at one end of the worm gear.

[0046] In the early stages of product development, specifically the early stages of steering system development, a suitable hardware feel (i.e., steering column assembly feel) can be selected by adjusting the locking position of the locking element on the clamping spring. Then, software calibration of the steering feel can be performed, which helps improve product performance. This invention is applied in the software calibration process. By adjusting the locking position of the clamping spring—that is, the mounting point between the locking element and the clamping spring—the length of the clamping spring between the locking position and the bearing, i.e., the lever arm, is adjusted. This adjusts the force exerted by the clamping spring on the worm gear bearing, thereby adjusting the downward movement distance of the worm gear. This, in turn, adjusts the meshing clearance between the worm gear and the worm wheel, i.e., the amount of meshing, and ultimately, adjusts the steering column assembly feel.

[0047] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that these embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Moreover, after reading the contents of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various modifications or alterations to the present invention, and these equivalent forms also fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A worm gear clearance adjustment structure, characterized in that, It includes a clamping spring and a locking element. A bearing sleeve is fixedly fitted on the bearing at one end of the worm gear. One end of the clamping spring passes through the bearing sleeve and abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the bearing. The other end of the clamping spring is used to connect to a spring mounting block on the steering column housing. The extension direction of the spring mounting block is the same as the extension direction of the clamping spring. The locking element is used to lock the clamping spring onto the spring mounting block. The locking position of the locking element on the clamping spring is adjustable. The end of the clamping spring for connecting with the bearing sleeve is bent downward to form a claw. The upper part of the bearing sleeve is provided with a through hole. The lower end of the claw passes through the through hole and abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the bearing. The through hole extends radially along the bearing sleeve. The clamping spring has a plurality of first mounting holes on a section for connecting with the spring mounting block, and each first mounting hole is distributed along the extension direction of the clamping spring; the spring mounting block has a plurality of second mounting holes, each second mounting hole being opposite to each first mounting hole; the locking member locks the clamping spring onto the spring mounting block through the first mounting holes and the second mounting holes.

2. The worm gear clearance adjustment structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bearing sleeve has an annular groove at the middle of its outer circumferential surface, and the through hole is located in the annular groove.

3. The worm gear clearance adjustment structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the first mounting holes is evenly distributed along the extension direction of the clamping spring.

4. The worm gear clearance adjustment structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking component includes a fixing bolt and a fixing nut, wherein the threaded section of the fixing bolt passes through the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole and then engages with the fixing nut.

5. The worm gear clearance adjustment structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second mounting hole is a threaded hole, and the locking element is a locking screw. The threaded section of the locking screw passes through the first mounting hole and then engages with the second mounting hole.

6. The worm gear clearance adjustment structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping spring has a first elongated hole on a section for connecting to the spring mounting block. The extension direction of the first elongated hole is the same as that of the clamping spring. The spring mounting block has a second elongated hole opposite to the first elongated hole. The locking component includes a locking bolt and a locking nut. The screw section of the locking bolt passes through the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole and engages with the locking nut. The screw section of the locking bolt is in sliding engagement with both the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole.

7. The worm gear clearance adjustment structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping spring includes a connecting section and a mounting section for connecting to the spring mounting block, the claw is located on the connecting section at the end away from the mounting section, and the first mounting hole is located on the mounting section; both the mounting section and the connecting section are rectangular plate structures, and the width of the connecting section is smaller than the width of the mounting section.

8. The worm gear clearance adjustment structure according to claim 7, characterized in that, The connecting segment is connected to the middle of the end face of the mounting segment near one end of the connecting segment.

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