Compensation adjusting device and method for automatically compensating a worm of a worm and gear transmission to a worm wheel and electromechanical power steering device for a vehicle

Abstract

A compensation adjustment device (100) for automatically compensating and adjusting the worm (105) of a worm gear transmission (115) for an electromechanical power steering system in a vehicle to the worm wheel (110) has a spring (120), a guide link (125), and a pressure block (130). The spring (120) is shaped to apply a spring force (F1) to the guide link (125) to press the guide link (125) radially toward the worm (105). The guide link (125) is configured to transmit the spring force (F1) to the pressure block (130). The pressure block (130), connected to the guide link (125), is configured to contact the worm section (135) of the worm (105) to apply a compensation adjustment force caused by the spring force (F1) to the worm (105). The compensation adjustment device (100) further includes a clamping device (133) configured to prevent the guide link (125) from resetting away from the worm gear (105).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This solution relates to a compensation adjustment device for automatically compensating and adjusting the worm of a worm gear transmission device for an electromechanical power steering system in a vehicle to the worm wheel, an electromechanical power steering system, and a method for compensating and adjusting the worm to the worm wheel of the worm gear transmission device. Background Technology

[0002] DE 10 2012 103 857 A1 describes a device for pressing a worm or helical pinion onto a worm wheel or helical gear. The worm is pressed onto the worm wheel in the axial direction. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Against this backdrop, the objective of this solution is to provide an improved compensation adjustment device for automatically compensating and adjusting the worm gear of a worm gear transmission device for an electromechanical power steering system in a vehicle to the worm wheel, an improved electromechanical power steering system, and an improved method for compensating and adjusting the worm gear to the worm wheel of a worm gear transmission device.

[0004] This task is accomplished by a compensation adjustment device, electromechanical power steering device, and method having the features of this invention.

[0005] The advantage of the proposed solution is that it provides the possibility of automatically compensating the worm gear to the worm wheel, which operates stably with a small number of components, ensuring that the meshing parts of the worm gear drive remain without clearance.

[0006] A compensation adjustment device for automatically compensating the worm gear in a worm gear drive system of an electromechanical power steering system for vehicles has a spring, a guide link, and a pressure block. The spring is shaped to apply a spring force to the guide link, pressing the guide link radially against the worm. The guide link is configured to transmit the spring force to the pressure block. The pressure block, connected to the guide link, is configured to contact the worm section of the worm to apply a compensation adjustment force caused by the spring force to the worm. Additionally, the compensation adjustment device has a clamping device configured to prevent the guide link from resetting away from the worm. In this way, the guide link can only move in one direction, i.e., toward the worm, for example, to compensate for wear.

[0007] The worm can be supported in a oscillating manner, for example, in an oscillating bearing. The spring can be a helical spring. The spring can be tensioned in a tensioned state between a pin on the housing element and the guide rod to apply spring force to the guide rod. The guide rod can be rod-shaped, for example, cylindrical. The pin can extend from the guide rod perpendicular to the extension axis of the cylindrical guide rod. The spring can be wound around the end section of the guide rod opposite to the pressure block and can be supported on the pin at one spring end and on the housing element at the opposite spring end. The worm can be axially shaped and / or can have a threaded section with worm threads for meshing with a worm wheel. The worm section shaped for contacting the pressure block can be cylindrically shaped and / or can be shaped as the end section of the worm. The guide rod and worm can be oriented in a manner extending perpendicular to each other, such that a compensating adjustment force is applied radially to the worm section when compensating for the worm adjustment. Advantageously, the clamping device can be used to compensate for wear on the adjusting block by preventing the guide rod from resetting in the direction opposite to the compensating adjustment force. Therefore, the compensating adjustment stroke caused by wear is repeatedly compensated without relatively increasing, because the clamping device on the rod prevents reversion. Advantageously, the compensating adjustment device proposed herein can automatically and radially compensate the worm gear onto the worm wheel using a simple method with spring force.

[0008] The contact surface of the pressure block for contacting the worm section can be bent into shape. Therefore, the pressure block can stably surround the cylindrical surface of the worm section, for example, surrounding the cylindrical surface of the worm section at 160° within a tolerance range of 20%.

[0009] Another advantage is that, according to one embodiment, the pressure block has an elastic element for coupling the pressure block to the guide rod. The elastic element can be formed as an elastomeric insert, the Shore hardness of which can be adjusted in a variable manner. Such an elastic element can elastically receive the out-of-roundness of the meshing mating parts and thus prevent clicking and / or jamming during the operation of the worm gear drive. According to one embodiment, sections of the contact surface can have such an elastic element.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the clamping device can be configured to prevent the pressure block and / or worm from deflecting due to a separation force generated by the meshing between the worm and worm wheel during operation of the worm gear drive. Such a clamping device can enhance the spring force, ensuring that the meshing mating parts of the worm gear drive are reliably held together despite the presence of separation forces during operation.

[0011] Furthermore, the compensation and adjustment device may have a housing section with a through opening through which a guide rod is guided. The housing section may be formed as a fixed housing section and / or may be fixedly connected to a housing element. The through opening allows for the stabilization of the guide rod, preventing, for example, lateral tilting of the guide rod.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the opening section of the through-opening can be tapered, at least one wedge of the clamping device can be arranged in the opening section, and an additional spring of the clamping device can be tensioned between the wedge and the pressure block. Thus, a clamping device can be practically realized. According to one embodiment, the opening section can have a skewed plane for form-locking reception of the wedge. Here, the diameter of the opening section in the region facing the pressure block can be larger than in the region away from the pressure block. The additional spring can be used to fix the position of the wedge by centering the wedge in the through-opening. The spring force, spring length, and / or spring diameter of the additional spring can be smaller than that of the spring. Therefore, the worm gear can be compensated for by the spring mechanism in conjunction with the wedge design, so that the compensation adjustment stroke caused by wear is repeatedly supplemented without relatively increasing because return is prevented by the action of the wedge on the connecting rod. Therefore, the elastic compensation stroke of the worm gear remains constant even after long-term use and significant wear.

[0013] Suppose that in the new state, a 0.5mm elastic stroke is allowed by an elastomer or, in other cases, by a structure. Due to wear on the worm gear, this stroke will increase to 1mm, resulting in a 1mm clearance in the transmission. Because of the compensating setting of the connecting rod by the spring force and the prevention of reset by the wedge on the connecting rod, the stroke is compensated again, and the transmission can once again deflect only 0.5mm away from the elastic region.

[0014] Another advantage is that, according to one embodiment, the compensation adjustment device has two conical half-shells that form a wedge shape. Therefore, the half-shells can clamp the guide rod from two opposing sides. The clamping force exerted by the half-shells on the guide rod can be proportional to the worm gear separation force and is therefore self-reinforcing.

[0015] Two half-shells can be arranged in the same structural manner and / or opposite each other in a conical, for example, funnel-shaped opening section.

[0016] Furthermore, the compensation adjustment device may have a borehole through which the guide rod is guided. The borehole may be arranged between the half-shells, and / or wherein the diameter of the borehole may be slightly smaller than the diameter of the guide rod. Therefore, a clamping force can be applied to the guide rod.

[0017] Furthermore, the compensation adjustment device can have a bearing assembly with an elongated bearing bore into which the worm section is received. This elongated bearing bore can be oriented according to the direction of the spring force / compensation adjustment force. Such an elongated bore ensures radial guidance of the worm and, for example, allows only degrees of freedom in the direction of the worm wheel.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the compensation and adjustment device may further include a worm and / or a worm gear, wherein the worm is supported in a swing bearing in a swing-like manner. Therefore, an integrated system comprising a worm gear transmission device and an automatic compensation and adjustment device is proposed.

[0019] An electromechanical power steering system with a motor and a steering link has a compensation adjustment device that couples the motor and the steering link. This compensation adjustment device is formed as a variation of the one described above. Such an electromechanical power steering system enables automatic compensation adjustment of the worm gear transmission of the power steering system. Therefore, the steering link can move without backlash.

[0020] A method for automatically compensating and adjusting the worm gear of a worm gear drive in an electromechanical power steering system for vehicles to the worm wheel includes an application step, a transmission step, a contact step, and a prevention step. In the application step, a spring force is applied to a guide link to press the guide link radially against the worm. In the transmission step, the spring force is transmitted from the guide link to a pressure block connected to the guide link. In the contact step, the pressure block is brought into contact with the worm section of the worm to apply a compensation adjustment force caused by the spring force to the worm. In the prevention step, the guide link is prevented from resetting away from the worm.

[0021] This method can be implemented, for example, using the aforementioned compensation adjustment device. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Embodiments of the proposed solution are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a compensation adjustment device according to one embodiment for automatically compensating and adjusting the worm gear of a worm gear transmission device for an electromechanical power steering system in a vehicle to the worm wheel. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a bearing device for a compensation adjustment device according to one embodiment; Figure 3 According to a schematic diagram of a vehicle according to one embodiment, the vehicle has an electromechanical power steering system, which includes a compensation and adjustment device; and Figure 4 A flowchart of a method for automatically compensating and adjusting the worm gear of a worm gear transmission device for an electromechanical power steering system in a vehicle to the worm wheel, according to one embodiment.

[0023] In the following description of advantageous embodiments of this solution, the same or similar reference numerals are used for elements shown in different figures that serve similar functions, wherein repeated descriptions of these elements are omitted. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a compensation adjustment device 100, according to one embodiment, is shown for automatically compensating and adjusting the worm 105 of a worm gear transmission 115 for an electromechanical power steering system in a vehicle to the worm wheel 110.

[0025] The compensation adjustment device 100 includes a spring 120, a guide rod 125, a pressure block 130, and a clamping device 133. The spring 120 is configured to apply a spring force F1 to the guide rod 125 to press the guide rod 125 radially against the worm gear 105. The guide rod 125 is configured to transmit the spring force F1 to the pressure block 130. The pressure block 130, connected to the guide rod 125, is configured to contact the worm section 135 of the worm gear 105 to apply a compensation adjustment force caused by the spring force F1 to the worm gear 105. The clamping device 133 is configured to prevent the guide rod 125 from resetting away from the worm gear 105.

[0026] According to this embodiment, the spring 120, in the tensioned state, is tensioned between the housing element 140 and the pin 145 on the guide rod 125, for applying a spring force F1 to the guide rod 125. Instead of the pin 145, other suitable stopping elements may be used for the spring 120. According to this embodiment, the spring 120 is a helical spring.

[0027] According to this embodiment, the worm 105 is supported in a swing bearing 150 in a swingable manner. According to this embodiment, the worm 105 is axially shaped and / or has a threaded section with a worm thread 155 for meshing with the worm wheel 110. According to this embodiment, a worm section 135 shaped for contact with the pressure block 140 is cylindrically shaped and / or shaped as an end section of the worm 105. According to this embodiment, the end section of the worm 105 opposite to this end section is coupled to the motor 165 in the form of a motor shaft 160.

[0028] With motor 165 activated, worm 105 rotates about its extension axis, and worm wheel 110 rotates due to the engagement of worm thread 155 with worm wheel 110. Advantageously, compensation adjustment device 110 is used to maintain this engagement without backlash.

[0029] According to this embodiment, the guide rod 125 is formed in a rod-like shape, and here in a cylindrical shape. According to this embodiment, the pin 145 extends perpendicular to the extension axis of the cylindrical guide rod 125 to at least two sides away from the guide rod 125. According to this embodiment, the spring 120 is arranged wound around the end section of the guide rod 125 away from the pressure block 130, and is supported on the pin 145 at one spring end and on the housing element 140 at the opposite spring end. According to this embodiment, the guide rod 125 and the worm 105 are oriented in a manner extending perpendicularly to each other, such that, in the case of compensating for the adjustment of the worm 105, a compensating adjustment force is applied radially from the side of the worm 105 away from the worm wheel 110 to the worm section 135.

[0030] According to this embodiment, the contact surface of the pressure block 130 for contacting the worm section 135 is curved. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the pressure block 130 partially surrounds the cylindrical surface of the worm section 135, for example, surrounding the cylindrical surface at 160° within a tolerance range of 20%. According to one embodiment, the curved portion of the contact surface of the pressure block is concave and matches the shape of the outer surface of the worm section 135.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the pressure block 130 further includes an elastic element 170 for coupling the pressure block 130 to the guide link 125. According to this embodiment, the elastic element 170 is formed as an elastomeric insert. According to one embodiment, the Shore hardness of the elastic element 170 can be adjusted in a variable manner, for example, through suitable material selection. According to one embodiment, the elastic element 170 is disposed in a recess or through opening in the pressure block 130 opposite to the guide link 125. According to one embodiment, a section of the contact surface is formed by the elastic element 170. Additionally or alternatively, according to one embodiment, the connection surface between the free end of the guide link 125 and the pressure block 130 is formed by the elastic element 170.

[0032] According to this embodiment, the clamping device 133 is configured to prevent the pressure block 130 and / or the worm 105 from deflecting due to the separation force Fs, which is generated by the meshing between the worm 105 and the worm wheel 110 during the operation of the worm gear transmission device 115.

[0033] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the compensation adjustment device 100 has a housing section 177 with a through opening 180 through which a guide rod 125 is guided. According to this embodiment, the housing section 177 is formed as a fixed housing section and / or fixedly connected to a housing element 140. According to one embodiment, the motor 165 and / or the housing section 177 and / or the housing element 140 are rigidly fastened to the vehicle body. According to this embodiment, the opening section 182 of the through opening 180 is tapered, and the compensation adjustment device 100 has at least one wedge 185 of a clamping device 133 and an additional spring 187 of the clamping device 133, the wedge being arranged in the opening section 182, the additional spring being tensioned between the wedge 185 and the pressure block 130. According to this embodiment, the opening section 182, the wedge 185, and the additional spring 187 realize the previously mentioned clamping device 133, which is arranged between the spring 120 and the pressure block 130. According to this embodiment, the opening section 182 has a skewed plane. The diameter of the opening section 182 in the region facing the pressure block 130 is larger than that in the region facing away from the pressure block 130. According to this embodiment, the additional spring 187 has a spring force F2 smaller than that of the spring 120. According to one embodiment, two conical half-shells are used as the wedge 185. The clamping force of the half-shells acting on the guide rod 125 is proportional to the worm gear separation force Fs and is therefore self-reinforcing. According to this embodiment, the two half-shells are arranged opposite each other in the conical, for example, funnel-shaped opening section 182.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the half-shell forming the wedge 185 has a drilled hole 190 through which a guide rod 125 is guided. According to this embodiment, the drilled hole 190 is arranged between the half-shells. According to one embodiment, the diameter of the drilled hole 190 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the guide rod 125. Thus, when the wedge 185 is pressed by an additional spring 187 against the tapered opening section 182 of the through opening 180 of the housing section 177, the guide rod 125 is clamped in the drilled hole 190. This clamping of the guide rod 125 is released during movement of the guide rod 125, for example, to compensate for wear, in the direction of the worm gear 105. If the wedge 182 is pressed again against the opening section 182, the guide rod 125 is clamped again, preventing it from moving in the opposite direction, i.e., away from the worm gear 105.

[0035] According to this embodiment, the compensation adjustment device 100 further includes a bearing assembly 195 having an elongated bearing bore in which the worm section 135 is received. Figure 2 The bearing assembly is described in more detail in section 195.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the compensation adjustment device 100 also has a worm 105 and / or a worm wheel 110, wherein the worm 105 is supported in a swing bearing 150 in a swingable manner.

[0037] The compensation adjustment device 100 proposed herein can realize automatic compensation adjustment of the worm gear transmission 115, which can be used, for example, in an electromechanical power steering system for vehicle construction.

[0038] The goal of the compensation and adjustment device 100 is to maintain the meshing mating parts of the worm gear drive 115 without backlash and to permanently compensate for and adjust wear over its service life, so that only the elasticity between the meshing mating parts is retained. This is due to the NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) requirements and adjustment requirements of the worm gear drive 115.

[0039] Therefore, according to one embodiment, the worm 105 is supported in a manner that allows it to oscillate about the motor 165 and is capable of being fed radially toward the worm wheel 110. According to one embodiment, a bearing is arranged at the opposite bearing location... Figure 2 The bearing elongated bore shown in the figure ensures radial guidance of the bearing structure and allows only the degree of freedom in the direction of the worm gear 110.

[0040] A worm section 135 with a cylindrical shoulder is arranged on the worm 105 as a support for the pressure block 130. This surrounds the cylindrical surface at 160° and introduces the compensation adjustment force into the worm 105.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the pressure block 130 includes an elastic element 170 in the form of an elastomeric insert, the Shore hardness of which can be adjusted in a variable manner. The elastomeric insert is configured to elastically receive the out-of-roundness of the meshing mating parts and thus prevent clicking and / or jamming. Here, the elastomeric insert is configured to compensate for concentricity errors of the worm gear 105.

[0042] The pressure block 130, also referred to as the "yoke," is connected to the guide link 125. According to one embodiment, the guide link 125 is guided in a housing section 177 in the form of a fixed housing and, together with the pressure block 130, is pressed toward the worm gear 110 by a spring 120.

[0043] The spring force F1 of spring 120 reliably compensates for wear between the meshing mating parts in the event of wear. According to this embodiment, to prevent the pressure block 130 and therefore the worm 105 from deflecting due to the separation force Fs generated by the meshing, a clamping mechanism is implemented by clamping device 133. According to one embodiment, clamping device 133 consists of a tapered bore in a housing and two tapered half-shells, the tapered bore previously referred to as the opening section 182, with a bore 190 between these half-shells, the diameter of which is slightly smaller than the diameter of the guide rod 125.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the guide rod 125 is located in a borehole 190 between tapered half-shells arranged in the housing section 177 such that these tapered half-shells are clamped by the tapered angle when the worm gear 105 deflects with a separation force Fs, and therefore can only move freely in the direction of the worm wheel 110. The clamping force of the half-shells acting on the guide rod 125 is proportional to the worm gear separation force Fs, and is therefore self-reinforcing. To fix the position of the half-shells, an additional spring 187 is provided, which centers the tapered half-shells in the through opening 180 of the housing section 177.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the spring force F1 of spring 120 and / or the spring length and / or spring diameter of spring 120 are greater than the spring force F2 of another spring 187 and / or the spring length and / or spring diameter of another spring 187. The springs 120 / 187 and / or the spring forces F1 / F2 are very small because they are only sufficient to ensure the position of the clamping half-shell.

[0046] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a bearing assembly 195 of a compensation adjustment device according to one embodiment is shown. This can be... Figure 1 The compensation adjustment equipment described in the text is based on Figure 1 The bearing assembly described is 195.

[0047] Bearing assembly 195 relative to in Figure 1 The schematic diagram shown is rotated 90° towards the observer, allowing the bearing elongated bore 200 to be seen from the front. According to this embodiment, the bearing elongated bore 200 is oriented corresponding to the direction 205 of the spring force / compensation adjustment force. Therefore, the worm can only be compensated and adjusted in the direction of the worm wheel via the worm section 135.

[0048] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a vehicle 300 according to one embodiment is shown, the vehicle having an electromechanical power steering system 305, the electromechanical power steering system having a compensation adjustment device 100. This can be according to... Figure 1 The electromechanical power steering device 305 and / or compensation adjustment device 100 are described.

[0049] The electromechanical power steering system 305 has the following features: Figure 1 The motor 165, steering link 310, and compensation adjustment device 100 coupling the motor 165 and steering link 310 are described herein. According to this embodiment, the steering link 310 connects two wheels 315 belonging to one axle of the vehicle 300. Due to the compensation adjustment device 100, the steering link 310 is capable of backlash-free movement.

[0050] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating a method 400 for automatically compensating and adjusting the worm gear of a worm gear drive for an electromechanical power steering system in a vehicle to the worm wheel, according to one embodiment. This method 400 can be performed using the compensation adjustment device described in one of the above figures.

[0051] Method 400 includes an application step 405, a transmission step 410, a contact step 415, and a prevention step 420. In the application step 405, the spring force of the spring is applied to the guide link to press it radially against the worm. In the transmission step 410, the spring force is transmitted from the guide link to a pressure block connected to it. In the contact step 415, the pressure block is brought into contact with the worm section of the worm to apply a compensating adjustment force caused by the spring force to the worm. In the prevention step 420, the guide link is prevented from resetting away from the worm.

[0052] List of reference numerals F1 Spring force F2 The spring force of the other spring Fs separation force 100 Compensation Adjustment Equipment 105 worm gear 110 worm gear 115 Worm Gear Drive 120 spring 125 Guide Link 130 pressing block 133 Clamping device 135 Worm Gear Section 140 Housing Components 145 sales 150 Oscillating Bearing 155 worm thread 160 motor shaft 165 motor 170 Elastic Element 177 Shell Section 180° through opening 182 Opening Section 185 wedge-shaped piece 187 Other springs 190 Drilling 195 Bearing Assembly 200 bearing elongated bore 205 Direction of Action 300 vehicles 305 Electromechanical Power Steering System 310 Steering Link 315 wheels 400 A method for automatically compensating and adjusting the worm gear of a worm gear drive system for an electromechanical power steering system in a vehicle to the worm wheel. 405 Application Steps 410 Transfer Steps 415 Contact Steps 420 Prevention Steps

Claims

1. A compensation adjustment device (100) for automatically compensating and adjusting the worm (105) of the worm gear transmission (115) of the electromechanical power steering device (305) for a vehicle (300) to the worm wheel (110), wherein, The compensation adjustment device (100) has the following characteristics: A spring (120) is formed to apply a spring force (F1) to a guide link (125) to press the guide link (125) radially toward the worm (105). The guide link (125) is used to transmit the spring force (F1) to the pressure block (130); The pressure block (130) connected to the guide link (125), the pressure block being used to contact the worm section (135) of the worm (105) to apply a compensating adjustment force caused by the spring force (F1) to the worm (105); and A clamping device (133) is configured to prevent the guide link (125) from resetting away from the worm gear (105). The contact surface of the pressure block (130) for contacting the worm gear section (135) is bent, and the pressure block (130) has an elastic element (170) for coupling the pressure block (130) with the guide rod (125). The compensation adjustment device has a housing section (177) with a through opening (180) through which the guide rod (125) is guided, and the opening section (182) of the through opening (180) is tapered. At least one wedge (185) of the clamping device (133) is arranged in the opening section (182), and another spring (187) of the clamping device (133) is tensioned between the wedge (185) and the pressure block (130).

2. The compensation adjustment device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The clamping device (133) is configured to prevent the pressure block (130) and / or the worm (105) from deflecting due to a separation force (Fs), which is generated by the meshing between the worm (105) and the worm wheel (110) during the operation of the worm gear transmission (115).

3. The compensation adjustment device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the compensation adjustment device has two conical half-shells forming the wedge (185).

4. The compensation adjustment device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The wedge (185) has a drilled hole (190) through which the guide rod (125) is guided.

5. The compensation adjustment device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, the compensation adjustment device having a bearing device (195) having a bearing elongated bore (200) in which the worm section (135) is received.

6. The compensation adjustment device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the compensation adjustment device comprises the worm (105) and / or the worm wheel (110), wherein, The worm (105) is supported in a swing bearing (150) in a swingable manner.

7. An electromechanical power steering device (305) having a motor (165) and a steering link (310) and a compensation adjustment device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, the compensation adjustment device coupling the motor (165) and the steering link (310).

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