A universal test bench for abnormal noise performance of steering gear

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of steering performance testing technology and discloses a universal steering gear noise performance test bench, including a fixing unit and a counterweight for simulating the upper load of the steering gear. The fixing unit is used to fix the steering gear. Sliding units are provided on both sides of the fixing unit. An excitation source is fixedly installed on each sliding unit. A quick-change connector is fixed to the output end of the excitation source. With the quick-change connector, when replacing the steering gear, it is only necessary to move the housing so that the pawl is away from the center of the seat, and the fixed pawl connected to the steering gear tie rod can be released, thus achieving the purpose of quick replacement of the steering gear. Compared with the original flange connection, which requires the removal of all bolts on the flange, the operation is much simpler.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of steering performance testing technology, and more specifically to a universal steering gear abnormal noise performance testing bench. Background Technology

[0002] The steering system is a series of devices used to change or maintain the direction of a car's movement, whether forward or backward. The driver controls the car's direction of travel through the steering system. The steering gear is an important component of the steering system. It uses a rack and pinion mechanism to convert the rotational motion of the steering wheel and steering column into the linear motion of the steering tie rod, which in turn acts on the wheels to achieve steering.

[0003] Steering gear noise is a major source of driver complaints about vehicle noises, severely impacting overall vehicle reliability and comfort, and limiting the improvement of automotive product reputation and sales. However, due to the complex structure and numerous components of the chassis system where the steering gear is located, generating significant noise during vehicle operation, engineers find it difficult to accurately identify steering gear noise under full vehicle conditions. Therefore, a dedicated noise testing bench is needed for precise identification of steering gear noise. However, the market offers a wide variety of steering gear models with significant differences in steering tie rod length. Currently, the equipment used for testing steering gear noise lacks versatility, requiring the re-machining of tooling or the disassembly and relocation of the fixed excitation source when testing different steering gears. This process is cumbersome, unreliable, and yields poor noise reproduction.

[0004] To address the issue of traditional steering gear noise performance test benches not being able to accommodate the different lengths of the steering tie rods for different steering gear models, application number 202320126636.5 discloses a universal steering gear noise performance test bench that adapts to the different steering tie rod lengths of different steering gear models by sliding the excitation source on the worktable.

[0005] However, to prevent abnormal noise between the excitation source and the steering tie rod, which could affect the reliability and repeatability of the test results, a flange connection is usually used to ensure the reliability of the connection and avoid shaking between the output end of the excitation source and the steering tie rod during the test. However, each time the steering gear is disassembled, all the bolts on the flange need to be removed, which makes the disassembly process rather cumbersome. This problem is particularly prominent when multiple steering gears of the same model need to be tested for abnormal noise each time. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a universal test bench for steering gear noise performance, so as to simplify the disassembly process of steering gear and reduce the cumbersomeness of disassembling steering gear during the test.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a universal steering gear abnormal noise performance test bench, including a fixed unit and a counterweight for simulating the upper load of the steering gear. The fixed unit is used to fix the steering gear. Sliding units are provided on both sides of the fixed unit. An excitation source is fixedly installed on each sliding unit. A quick-change connector is fixedly installed at the output end of the excitation source. The quick-change connector includes a seat and a housing. Several fixed claws made of spring steel are fixedly installed at one end of the seat. The fixed claws are evenly distributed around the circumference of the seat and gradually expand outward in a trumpet shape from one end of the seat. Fixed teeth are provided on the fixed claws that can be locked onto the threaded section of the tie rod. The housing is sleeved on the fixed claws and can drive the fixed teeth to move towards the axis of the seat.

[0008] The advantages of this solution are as follows: by using the quick-change coupling, when replacing the steering gear, it is only necessary to move the housing so that the pawl is away from the seat axis, which can release the fixed pawl connected to the steering gear tie rod, thus achieving the purpose of quick steering gear replacement. Compared with the original flange connection, which requires the removal of all bolts on the flange, the operation is much simpler.

[0009] Furthermore, the housing includes a first housing and a second housing. The first housing is disposed on the base and threadedly connected to the second housing. The second housing has a first conical cavity inside, and the fixing claws on the inner wall of the first conical cavity abut against each other on the side away from the axis.

[0010] Furthermore, the quick-change connector also includes a movable jaw, which is slidably mounted on the fixed jaw. The movable jaw has a movable tooth on the side near the axis of the base that can be engaged with the threaded section of the cross rod under the drive of the housing. The first housing is sleeved on the outside of the fixed jaw, and a second conical cavity is provided inside the first housing. The inner wall of the second conical cavity abuts against the side of the movable tooth away from the axis of the base.

[0011] Beneficial effects: The use of movable pawls and movable teeth further enhances the stability and reliability of quick-change couplings, making steering gear replacement more convenient and faster.

[0012] Furthermore, the fixed claw has a groove parallel to the axis of the base body, and the two sides of the movable claw are slidably connected to the groove of the movable claw. The outer end of the movable claw extends out of the groove and abuts against the housing. Thus, through the restriction of the groove, the movable claw is locked with the cross tie rod under the drive of the first housing.

[0013] Furthermore, the housing includes a first housing and a second housing. The first housing is rotatably mounted on the base and threadedly connected to the second housing. The second housing has a conical cavity, and the inner wall of the conical cavity has fixed claws abutting against each other on the side away from the axis. When the first housing and the second housing rotate toward each other, the conical cavity allows the housing to rotate outside the fixed claws. This allows the inner wall of the conical cavity to abut against the movable and fixed claws, driving the movable and fixed claws to move toward the axis, so that the ends of the movable and fixed claws abut against the threads of the tie rod.

[0014] Furthermore, the ends of both the movable and fixed locking teeth facing the mating side are arc-shaped and form ridges that protrude towards the mating side.

[0015] Furthermore, the fixing teeth are divided into a first set of teeth and a second set of teeth. The teeth of the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth are alternately arranged. The inner edge of the teeth of the first set of teeth is rounded and forms an inwardly protruding edge, which engages with the threaded thread close to the base. The outer edge of the teeth of the second set of teeth is rounded and forms an outwardly protruding edge, which engages with the threaded thread away from the base.

[0016] Beneficial effects: 1. The alternating arrangement of the first and second sets of locking teeth ensures that the locking teeth alternately abut against the inner and outer sides of the screw threads during clamping, providing better stability and torsional resistance. This prevents displacement between the locking teeth and the transverse tie rod when the excitation source starts and drives the axial movement of the transverse tie rod, which could lead to additional abnormal noise and affect the reliability of the test. Simultaneously, the locking teeth are distributed at different positions on the screw, maintaining good fixation even under uneven stress conditions. 2. The force can be evenly distributed onto the screw through the two sets of locking teeth, resulting in uniform load distribution and reducing excessive stress at single points. To mitigate the risks and extend service life; 3. When the steering gear model changes, the diameter of the lateral tie rod may change, and the thread on the lateral tie rod will also change accordingly with the change in the diameter of the lateral tie rod. This solution uses the housing to drive the fixed clamping teeth to move in the direction of the seat axis. At the same time, the fixed clamping teeth are divided into alternating first clamping teeth and second clamping teeth, so that when the diameter of the lateral tie rod changes, the first clamping teeth and the second clamping teeth can also abut against the inner and outer sides of the thread respectively, providing stable clamping performance, ensuring the connection between the lateral tie rod and the excitation source output shaft, thereby ensuring the accuracy and repeatability of the abnormal noise test.

[0017] Furthermore, it also includes a rubber pad, which is fixed to the contact side of the movable claw and the fixed claw with the housing.

[0018] Furthermore, the fixing claws are T-shaped, cross-shaped, I-shaped, or dry-shaped. The T-shaped, cross-shaped, I-shaped, or dry-shaped protrusions face the axis of the base to form fixing teeth, and the cross-shaped or dry-shaped protrusions abut against the inner wall of the conical cavity on the side away from the axis of the base.

[0019] Furthermore, it also includes a rubber pad, which is fixed to the side of the fixing claw that abuts against the housing.

[0020] Furthermore, a rubber part is fixed to the base, which is fixedly mounted on the axis of the fixing claw and abuts against the end of the horizontal tie rod. The rubber pad ensures that the end of the horizontal tie rod contacts the rubber pad during installation, preventing collisions or friction between the end of the horizontal tie rod and the fixing claw, thus avoiding abnormal noise and affecting the accuracy of the test. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional diagram of the detection state in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional view of the steering gear and counterweight after removal in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the quick-change connector of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the quick-connect coupling according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the quick-connect coupling in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following detailed description illustrates the specific implementation method:

[0027] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings include: worktable 10, steering gear 11, linear guide rail 121, slide 122, screw 123, turntable 124, handle 125, excitation source 13, counterweight 14, connecting seat 151, connecting part 152, quick-change connector 2, seat body 21, rubber pad 22, fixed locking tooth 231, first locking tooth group 2311, second locking tooth group 2312, movable locking tooth 232, first housing 241, and second housing 242.

[0028] Example 1

[0029] Example 1 is basically as shown in the appendix. Figure 1-4 As shown, a universal steering gear noise performance test bench is used for testing the noise of the steering gear 11, such as... Figure 1As shown, the system includes a counterweight 14, a fixing unit, a sliding unit, and an excitation source 13. The counterweight 14 is used to simulate the upper load of the steering gear 11. The fixing unit includes a connecting seat 151 and a worktable 10. The steering gear 11 is mounted on the connecting seat 151 and the counterweight 14 simulates the load. A connecting part 152 is welded to the bottom of the connecting seat 151. A strip groove is provided on the connecting part 152. Several mounting holes are provided on the worktable 10. The connecting seat 151 is bolted to the worktable 10 through the strip groove provided on the connecting part 152. The connecting seat 151 is mounted on the worktable 10 through the strip groove provided on the connecting part 152. During installation, the connecting seat 151 can be slidably adjusted through the strip groove and then tightened with bolts, which makes it easier to install and fix different models of steering gear 11 on the worktable 10.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, the sliding unit includes two sets of sliding components, which are respectively arranged on both sides of the worktable 10. Each set of sliding components includes a linear guide rail 121, a drive component, and a slide block 122. The linear guide rail 121 is bolted to the worktable 10. The drive component drives the slide block 122 to move on the linear guide rail 121. In this embodiment, the drive component is a ball screw pair, which includes a screw 123. The screw 123 is rotatably arranged on the worktable 10 and threadedly connected to the slide block. A turntable 124 is welded to the left end of the screw 123. A handle 125 is hinged on the turntable 124 to increase the lever arm, thereby reducing the force required to rotate the screw 123. An excitation source 13 is bolted to the slide block 122. In this embodiment, the excitation source 13 is a servo cylinder. A quick-change connector 2 is flanged on the output shaft of the excitation source 13.

[0031] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the quick-connect coupling 2 includes a housing, a base 21, and a rubber pad 22. The housing includes a first housing 241 and a second housing 242. In this embodiment, the first housing 241 has a first conical cavity inside, and the second housing 242 has a second conical cavity inside. The first housing 241 and the second housing 242 are threaded together.

[0032] On the right side of the seat body 21, several fixing claws are integrally formed. The fixing claws are in the shape of a T, a cross, a工字 (Chinese character for "worker"), or a 干 (a certain Chinese character). The convex surfaces of the T-shaped, cross-shaped, 工字-shaped, or 干-shaped protrusions face the side of the base axis to form fixing teeth 231. The inner edge of the fixing teeth 231 is arc-shaped and forms an edge protruding inward. The sides of the cross-shaped or 干-shaped protrusions away from the base axis are respectively abutted against the inner walls of the first conical cavity and the second conical cavity. The fixing claws are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the seat body 21 and extend from one end of the seat body 21 towards the side away from the axis, forming a trumpet-shaped structure. In this embodiment, the fixing claws are in the shape of a 干. The sides of the 干-shaped protrusions away from the base axis are respectively abutted against the inner walls of the first conical cavity and the second conical cavity. Thus, through the relative movement of the first housing 241 and the second housing 242, the fixing claws are forced to deform, causing the teeth to move towards the axis of the seat body 21, thereby tightly clamping the threads of the threaded section of the tie rod 11 of the steering gear.

[0033] The rubber pad 22 is bonded to the seat body 21 and the ends where the fixing claws abut against the housing to prevent friction between the housing and the fixing claws and between the tie rod and the seat body 21 when the excitation source 13 is started, generating abnormal noises and affecting the accuracy of the test results.

[0034] It should be noted that when the fixing claws are in the shape of a T or a cross with only one protrusion, the second housing 242 needs to be welded or clamped to the seat body 21 to complete the cooperation for the relative movement with the first housing 241, so that the first housing can, through the relative movement, force the fixing claws to deform and complete the clamping work of the tie rod 11 of the steering gear.

[0035] The specific implementation process is as follows:

[0036] During installation, first, adjust the distance between the connecting seats 151 according to the model of the steering gear 11 so that the connecting seats 151 are adapted to the steering gear 11; second, make the sliding component move away from the steering gear 11 through the driving component; then, install the steering gear 11 onto the connecting seats 151 through bolts. At the same time, unscrew the first housing 241 and sleuth the first housing 241 onto the tie rod of the steering gear 11; then, make the sliding component move closer to the steering gear 11 through the driving component until the end of the tie rod contacts the rubber pad 22; then, thread-connect the first housing 241 and the second housing 242 so that the fixing teeth 231 are tightly clamped with the threads of the threaded section of the tie rod, completing the installation work of the steering gear 11.

[0037] During disassembly, first, turn the first housing 241 to separate the first housing 241 from the second housing 242; then, make the sliding component move away from the steering gear 11 through the driving component; finally, disassemble the steering gear 11 to complete the disassembly work of the steering gear 11.

[0038] Embodiment 2

[0039] Based on Example 1, such as Figure 5 As shown, the quick-change connector 2 also includes a movable claw. The fixed claw has a groove parallel to the axis of the base 21. The movable claw is slidably connected to the groove on both sides. The movable claw is provided with a movable tooth 232 on the side near the axis of the base 21, which can be locked with the threaded section of the cross rod under the drive of the housing. The outer end of the movable claw extends out of the groove and abuts against the inner wall of the second conical cavity.

[0040] Meanwhile, the fixing teeth 231 are divided into a first set of teeth 2311 and a second set of teeth 2312, with the teeth of the first set of teeth 2311 and the second set of teeth 2312 being alternately arranged, such as... Figure 5 As shown, when tightened, the inner edges of the teeth in the first set of retaining teeth 2311 are all arc-shaped with inwardly protruding edges, which engage with the threads near the base 21; the outer edges of the teeth in the second set of retaining teeth 2312 are all arc-shaped with outwardly protruding edges, which engage with the threads away from the base 21. By configuring the retaining teeth and the second set of retaining teeth 2312, the retaining teeth are distributed at different positions on the screw 123, thus providing better stability and torsional resistance. Even under uneven force conditions, a good fixing effect can be maintained. Simultaneously, the force transmitted by the excitation source 13 can be evenly distributed to the screw 123 through the two sets of retaining teeth, resulting in uniform load distribution, reducing the risk of excessive force at a single point, and extending service life.

[0041] In use, the first housing 241 and the second housing 242 move toward each other, driving the movable locking teeth 232 and the fixed locking teeth 231 to lock with the threaded section of the cross tie rod.

[0042] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention, and common knowledge such as specific technical solutions and / or characteristics are not described in detail here. It should be noted that the technical means for solving problems in the above embodiments of the present invention can be used in combination to solve multiple technical problems simultaneously. For those skilled in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the technical solutions of the present invention, and these should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention. These modifications and improvements will not affect the effectiveness of the implementation of the present invention or the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection claimed in this application should be determined by the content of its claims, and the specific embodiments described in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A universal test bench for abnormal noise performance of steering gear, comprising a fixed unit and a counterweight for simulating the load on the upper end of the steering gear, the fixed unit being used to fix the steering gear, and sliding units being provided on both sides of the fixed unit, each sliding unit being fixedly provided with an excitation source, characterized in that: The output end of the excitation source is fixed with a quick-change connector. The quick-change connector includes a base and a housing. A number of fixed claws made of spring steel are fixedly provided at one end of the base. The fixed claws are evenly distributed around the circumference of the base and gradually expand outward in a trumpet shape from one end of the base. The fixed claws are provided with fixed teeth that can be locked onto the threaded section of the cross tie rod. The housing is sleeved on the fixed claws and can drive the fixed teeth to move toward the axis of the base. The housing includes a first housing and a second housing. The first housing is disposed on the base and threadedly connected to the second housing. The second housing has a first conical cavity inside, and the fixing claws on the inner wall of the first conical cavity abut against each other on the side away from the axis. The fixing teeth are divided into a first set of teeth and a second set of teeth. The teeth of the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth are alternately arranged. The inner edge of the teeth of the first set of teeth is rounded and forms an inwardly protruding edge, which engages with the threaded thread close to the base. The outer edge of the teeth of the second set of teeth is rounded and forms an outwardly protruding edge, which engages with the threaded thread away from the base.

2. The universal steering gear abnormal noise performance test bench according to claim 1, characterized in that: The quick-change connector also includes a movable jaw, which is slidably mounted on the fixed jaw. The movable jaw has a movable tooth on the side near the axis of the base that can be engaged with the threaded section of the cross rod under the drive of the housing. The first housing is sleeved on the outside of the fixed jaw. A second conical cavity is provided inside the first housing. The inner wall of the second conical cavity abuts against the side of the movable tooth away from the axis of the base.

3. The universal steering gear abnormal noise performance test bench according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fixed claw has a groove parallel to the axis of the base body. The two sides of the movable claw are slidably connected to the groove of the movable claw. The outer end of the movable claw extends out of the groove and abuts against the housing.

4. A universal steering gear abnormal noise performance test bench according to claim 3, characterized in that: Both the movable and fixed locking teeth have arc-shaped ends facing the clamping side, forming a protruding edge towards the clamping side.

5. A universal steering gear abnormal noise performance test bench according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a rubber pad, which is fixed to the contact side of the movable claw and the fixed claw with the housing.

6. A universal steering gear abnormal noise performance test bench according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: The fixing claws are T-shaped, "+", "I"-shaped, or "dry"-shaped. The T-shaped, "+", "I"-shaped, or "dry"-shaped protrusions face the axis of the base to form fixing teeth, and the "+"-shaped or "dry"-shaped protrusions abut against the inner wall of the conical cavity on the side away from the axis of the base.

7. A universal steering gear abnormal noise performance test bench according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a rubber pad, which is fixed to the side of the fixing claw that abuts against the housing.

8. A universal steering gear abnormal noise performance test bench according to claim 1, characterized in that: A rubber part is fixed on the base, and the rubber part is fixed on the axis of the fixed claw and can abut against the end of the horizontal tie rod.

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