Rack supporting device of automobile steering device

Abstract

The present embodiment provides a rack support device of an automobile steering apparatus, which makes the left and right support force of a yoke supporting a rack uniform when the rack slides left and right, thereby preventing noise caused by gap increase due to wear of the yoke or reverse impact from a road surface, and providing a comfortable steering feeling to a driver during steering.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present embodiment relates to a rack support device for an automobile steering device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a rack support device for an automobile steering device, which can provide a comfortable steering feeling for the driver when steering by making the left and right supporting forces of the yoke for supporting the rack become uniform when the rack slides left and right, thereby preventing noise generated by increased clearance due to wear of the yoke or noise generated by reverse impact from the road surface. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a steering device of a car is a device that can change the driving direction of the vehicle according to the driver's wishes. It is a device that assists the vehicle to travel in the direction desired by the driver by arbitrarily changing the rotation center of the front wheels of the vehicle.

[0003] The steering device of such a car includes a rack bar and a pinion gear, etc., for converting the rotational force received from the steering shaft into linear motion when the driver operates the steering wheel; and includes a rack support device that supports the rack toward the pinion gear to ensure good meshing between the rack bar and the pinion gear.

[0004] However, for this conventional rack support device, when the rack slides left and right, the support forces on the left and right sides deviate, thereby reducing the driver's steering feel and increasing the friction force variation between the rack and the pinion.

[0005] In addition, there is a problem that when a support yoke is used to a certain extent, the support force of the rack becomes unbalanced and rattle noise is generated in the yoke and a yoke plug. Summary of the invention

[0006] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] The present embodiment is proposed based on the above background, and can provide a rack support device for a vehicle steering device. When the rack slides left and right, the left and right supporting forces of the yoke for supporting the rack become uniform, and can prevent the noise generated by the increase in the gap due to the wear of the yoke or the noise generated by the reverse impact from the road surface, and can provide the driver with a comfortable steering feel when steering.

[0008] In addition, the problems to be solved by the present embodiment are not limited thereto, and other unmentioned objects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0009] Means used to solve problems

[0010] The present embodiment provides a rack support device for an automobile steering device, comprising: a yoke, wherein the front of the yoke is used to support the rack, a tapered groove is provided at the rear center of the yoke, the diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the tapered groove is formed to become smaller toward the rack side, and the yoke is combined with the mounting hole of the gear box housing; and a yoke plug, wherein a support protrusion is provided in front of the yoke plug, the support protrusion protrudes toward the direction of the yoke and is supported on the inner circumferential surface of the tapered groove, and the yoke plug supports the yoke toward the rack side and is fixed to the mounting hole.

[0011] In addition, the present embodiment provides a rack support device for an automobile steering device, comprising: a yoke, the front of which supports the rack, a cylinder groove is arranged at the rear center of the yoke, the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder groove has the same diameter, and the yoke is combined with the mounting hole of the gear box housing; and a yoke plug, the front of which is provided with a conical protrusion, the conical protrusion protrudes and is supported on the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder groove in a manner that the diameter of its outer circumferential surface becomes smaller toward the rack side, and the yoke plug supports the yoke toward the rack side and is fixed to the mounting hole.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present embodiment as described above, a rack support device for an automobile steering device can be provided. When the rack slides left and right, the left and right supporting forces of the yoke for supporting the rack become uniform, thereby preventing noise generated by increased clearance due to wear of the yoke or noise generated by reverse impact from the road surface, and providing the driver with a comfortable steering feel when steering. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing a rack support device of a vehicle steering device according to the present embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 and Figure 3 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a rack support device of a vehicle steering device according to the present embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 1 is a perspective view showing a rack support device of a vehicle steering device according to the present embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 : is a sectional view showing the rack support device of the automotive steering device according to the present embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 1 is a perspective view showing a rack support device of a vehicle steering device according to the present embodiment.

[0019] Figures 7 to 11 : is a sectional view showing the rack support device of the automotive steering device according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Below, a part of the embodiments of the present embodiment is described in detail with reference to the illustrative drawings. When adding reference numerals to the constituent elements of each figure, the same constituent elements may have the same reference numerals as much as possible, even if they are shown in different figures. In addition, when describing the present embodiment, when it is determined that the detailed description of the relevant known settings or functions may obscure the subject matter of the present embodiment, the detailed description thereof may be omitted. In the case of "including", "having", "comprising", etc. mentioned in this specification, other parts may be attached as long as "only to" is not used. When the constituent elements are expressed in the singular, the plural form may be included unless otherwise clearly stated.

[0021] In addition, in the description of the components of this embodiment, terms such as "first", "second", "A", "B", "(a)", "(b)" and the like may be used. Such terms are only used to distinguish the components from other components, and the nature, order, sequence or quantity of the corresponding components are not limited by such terms.

[0022] In the description of the positional relationship of constituent elements, when it is recorded that two or more constituent elements are "connected", "combined" or "linked", it should be understood that the two or more constituent elements may be directly "connected", "combined" or "linked", or the two or more constituent elements may be "connected", "combined" or "linked" in a manner of "intermediate" other constituent elements. Among them, the other constituent elements may be included in one or more of the two or more constituent elements that are "connected", "combined" or "linked" to each other.

[0023] In the description of the time flow relationship related to constituent elements, operating methods or production methods, when the time sequence relationship or process sequence relationship is described by means of words such as "after", "next", "then", "before", etc., discontinuous situations may also be included unless "just before" or "directly" is used.

[0024] On the other hand, when referring to the numerical value or corresponding information (for example, level, etc.) of a certain component, even if there is no separate explicit record, the numerical value or corresponding information can be understood to include the error range that may occur due to various reasons (for example, process factors, internal or external impacts, noise, etc.).

[0025] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a rack support device of a vehicle steering device according to this embodiment, Figure 2 and Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a rack support device of a vehicle steering device according to the present embodiment, Figure 4is a perspective view showing a rack support device of a vehicle steering device according to this embodiment, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a rack support device of a vehicle steering device according to the present embodiment, Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a rack support device of a vehicle steering device according to this embodiment, Figures 7 to 11 : is a sectional view showing the rack support device of the automotive steering device according to the present embodiment.

[0026] First, if Figures 1 to 8 As shown, the rack support device 110 of the automobile steering device according to this embodiment includes: a yoke 120, the front of the yoke 120 supports the rack 101, a tapered groove 122 is provided at the rear center (portion) of the yoke 120, and the tapered groove 122 is formed so that the diameter of its inner circumference becomes smaller toward the rack 101 side (the side where the rack 101 is located), and the yoke 120 is combined with the mounting holes 103a, 103b of the gear box housing 103; and a yoke plug 130, a support protrusion 133 is provided in front of the yoke plug 130, and the support protrusion 133 protrudes toward the direction of the yoke 120 and is supported on the inner circumference of the tapered groove 122, thereby supporting the yoke 120 toward the rack 101 side, and the yoke plug 130 is fixed to the mounting holes 103a, 103b.

[0027] The automobile steering device includes: a steering wheel arranged at a driver's seat; a steering shaft connected to the steering wheel; a steering column capable of fixing the steering shaft to the vehicle body; a gear box housing 103 for accommodating a rack 101 and a pinion 102 for converting a rotational force received from the steering shaft into a linear motion; the rack bar 101 having inner ball joints at both ends thereof; and a tie rod formed integrally with the ball of the inner ball joint, etc.

[0028] The rack 101 meshes with the pinion 102 to convert the rotational motion into the linear motion. At this time, a rack support device 110 for supporting the rack 101 toward the pinion 102 is provided behind the rack 101 .

[0029] In the following description, unless otherwise stated regarding directions, the rack 101 is used as a reference, and the pinion 102 side is referred to as the front, and the opposite direction is referred to as the rear.

[0030] The rack support device 110 includes a yoke 120, a yoke support member 113 and a yoke plug 130, etc. The yoke 120 is located behind the rack 101. The yoke 120 is a structure that is inserted into the mounting holes 103a, 103b of the gear box housing 103 and can move along the front-to-back direction perpendicular to the rack 101.

[0031] In the operation of the automobile steering device, when the driver operates the steering wheel, the steering shaft 105 connected to the steering wheel will rotate, and the pinion 102 connected to the lower end of the steering shaft will drive the rack 101.

[0032] The gearbox housing 103 is formed with a hollow space for accommodating the rack 101, and an assembly portion 107 for assembling the pinion 102 is formed on one side of the gearbox housing, and mounting holes 103a and 103b are formed. A rack support device 110 for supporting the rack 101 in the direction of the pinion 102 is installed in the mounting holes 103a and 103b.

[0033] Here, the rack 101 is meshed with the pinion 102, thereby converting the rotational motion of the steering shaft 105 into linear motion. At this time, in order to achieve good meshing between the rack 101 and the pinion 102, a rack support device 110 is provided behind the rack 101, and the rack support device 110 is used to support the rack 101 toward the pinion 102 side, that is, the front.

[0034] The rack support device 110 is an indispensable structure for absorbing vibration and impact transmitted from the road surface during the driving of the vehicle in a rack-and-pinion steering device, while maintaining good meshing between the rack 101 and the pinion 102.

[0035] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the vibration noise caused by the collision between the yoke 120 and the gear box housing 103 can be reduced.

[0036] In this embodiment, the rack support device 110 mainly includes a yoke 120 and a yoke plug 130 and the like.

[0037] In addition, a yoke support member 113 may be further included. The yoke support member 113 is coupled to the tapered groove 122 provided in the yoke 120 , thereby elastically supporting the yoke 120 and the yoke stopper 130 in the front and rear directions away from each other.

[0038] The yoke 120 is coupled to the mounting holes 103a, 103b of the gearbox housing 103, and the front of the yoke 120 supports the rack 101. A conical groove 122 is provided at the rear center (portion) of the yoke 120, and the diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the conical groove 122 is formed to become smaller toward the rack 101.

[0039] A rack support surface 121 formed as a semicircular or arc-shaped groove is provided on this yoke 120, so that the front of the yoke 120 can be in close contact with the rear surface of the rack 101. A yoke sheet 120a is provided on the front surface of the yoke 120 to reduce friction with the rack 101, and the yoke 120 is combined with the mounting holes 103a, 103b of the gear box housing 103.

[0040] The yoke piece 120 a is formed with a coupling protrusion 120 b on the rear surface thereof so as to be coupled to a coupling groove 121 a formed on the rack support surface 121 of the yoke 120 .

[0041] A support protrusion 133 is provided in front of the yoke plug 130. The support protrusion 133 protrudes toward the yoke 120 and is supported on the inner circumference 122a of the tapered groove 122. The support protrusion 133 supports the yoke plug 130 toward the rack 101 and is fixed to the mounting holes 103a, 103b.

[0042] The yoke plug 130 has a threaded portion 131 a formed on its outer peripheral surface so as to be threadedly engaged with the mounting holes 103 a and 103 b of the gearbox housing 103 . The yoke plug 130 is fixed on the outer side of the gearbox housing 103 to prevent loosening by a locking nut 105 .

[0043] In addition, a tool fastening portion 135 is formed at the rear of the yoke plug 130 to facilitate assembly, and a plug 111 is coupled to a through hole 137 formed in the tool fastening portion 135 to prevent dust or moisture from entering from the outside.

[0044] The support protrusion 133 arranged in front of the yoke plug 130 is installed while supporting the inner circumferential surface 122a of the tapered groove 122 formed as an inclined surface. At this time, the yoke 120 elastically deforms radially outward and is tightly attached to the inner circumferential surfaces of the mounting holes 103a and 103b of the gear box housing 103.

[0045] Therefore, even if an impact from the road surface is received, the vibration noise caused by the collision between the yoke 120 and the gear box housing 103 can be reduced.

[0046] The yoke support member 113 combined with the tapered groove 122 of the yoke 120 supports the rack 101 toward the pinion 102, thereby elastically supporting the yoke 120 and the yoke plug 130 toward the front and rear away from each other, so that the meshing between the rack 101 and the pinion 102 can be well achieved.

[0047] The yoke support member 113 may be mounted in an elastically compressed manner to a tapered groove 122 formed at a rear center portion of the yoke 120 , and in this embodiment, a coil spring is exemplified.

[0048] Since the yoke 120 needs to be formed of a material having predetermined elasticity and rigidity and capable of absorbing vibration and noise, it is formed of an elastic material such as engineering plastic having such characteristics.

[0049] The yoke 120 has a protruding end 123 protruding toward the yoke plug 130 on the bottom surface of the tapered groove 122 formed at the rear thereof. The protruding end 123 is formed in a columnar shape spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface 122 a of the tapered groove 122 .

[0050] In addition, the inner peripheral surface of the yoke support member 113 is supported on the outer peripheral side of the protruding end portion 123 , and the outer peripheral surface of the yoke support member 113 is provided to be spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface of the support protrusion 133 provided on the yoke plug 130 .

[0051] Therefore, the position of the yoke support member 113 is fixed by the protruding end portion 123 , so that vibration noise caused by collision with the inner peripheral surface of the support protrusion 133 can be prevented.

[0052] In the rear of the yoke 120 , a mounting groove 127 is provided between the outer circumferential surface of the yoke 120 and the inner circumferential surface of the tapered groove 122 , and a plug support member 115 for elastically supporting the yoke plug 130 is coupled to the mounting groove 127 .

[0053] The plug support member 115 can prevent vibration noise caused by the collision between the yoke 120 and the yoke plug 130 , and can also attenuate the impact of the road surface transmitted through the rack 101 .

[0054] The yoke 120 includes a cutout portion 125 formed by cutting from the outer peripheral surface of the yoke 120 to the inner peripheral surface of the tapered groove 122 . The cutout portion 125 may be cut radially from the center of the yoke 120 and may be formed in plurality.

[0055] Therefore, when the support protrusion 133 of the yoke plug 130 supports the inner peripheral surface of the tapered groove 122 and is installed, the separation protrusion 126 separated and arranged by the cutout portion 125 is more likely to elastically deform in the circumferential direction and the radial direction (radial direction).

[0056] Such a cutout portion 125 may be formed to have the same cutting width in the circumferential direction, so that the separation protrusion 126 may be elastically deformed more uniformly in the circumferential direction and the radial direction.

[0057] In addition, a circumferential groove 129 connected to the cutout portion 125 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the yoke 120, and a housing support member 117 is combined with the outer peripheral groove 129. The housing support member 117 is used to elastically support the inner peripheral surfaces of the mounting holes 103a and 103b of the gear box housing 103.

[0058] Therefore, when an impact from the road surface is transmitted, the case support member 117 can reduce vibration noise caused by the collision between the yoke 120 and the gear case case 103.

[0059] In addition, if a gap occurs between the yoke 120 and the rack 101 due to wear, the installation depth of the yoke plug 130 is increased, thereby preventing vibration noise caused by collision between the yoke 120 and the gear box housing 103.

[0060] On the other hand, Figures 1 to 8 Refer to Figures 9 to 11 According to the rack support device 110 of the automobile steering device of this embodiment, it includes: a yoke 220, the front of the yoke 220 supports the rack 101, and a cylinder groove 222 is provided at the rear center (portion) of the yoke 220, the inner peripheral surface diameter of the cylinder groove 222 is formed to be the same, and the yoke 220 is combined with the mounting holes 103a, 103b of the gear box housing 103; and a yoke plug 230, a conical protrusion 233 is provided in front of the yoke plug 230, and the conical protrusion 233 protrudes in a manner that the diameter of its outer peripheral surface becomes smaller toward the rack 101 side, thereby being supported on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder groove 222, and the yoke plug 230 supports the yoke 220 toward the rack 101 side and is fixed to the mounting holes 103a, 103b.

[0061] Here, due to the other structures except the cylinder groove 222 of the yoke 220 and the conical protrusion 233 of the yoke plug 230 and Figures 1 to 8 The structures are the same, so detailed description is omitted below, and the description will focus on the differences.

[0062] like Fig. 9 and Fig.11 As shown, a cylinder groove 222 is provided at the rear center of the yoke 220 , and the inner circumferential surface 222 a of the cylinder groove 222 has the same diameter.

[0063] In addition, if Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, a tapered protrusion 233 is provided in front of the yoke plug 230 , and the tapered protrusion 233 is formed so as to protrude in a manner that the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 233 a gradually decreases toward the rack 101 side.

[0064] Since the outer peripheral surface of the tapered protrusion 233 provided in front of the yoke plug 230 is formed as an inclined surface, the tapered protrusion 233 is mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder groove 222 having the same diameter as the tapered protrusion 233 .

[0065] As described above, when the conical protrusion 233 supports the cylinder groove 222 , the yoke 220 elastically deforms radially outward, and comes into close contact with the inner circumferential surfaces of the mounting holes 103 a and 103 b of the gear box housing 103 .

[0066] Therefore, when an impact from the road surface is transmitted, vibration noise caused by the collision between the yoke 220 and the gear box housing 103 can be reduced.

[0067] In addition, if a gap occurs between the yoke 220 and the rack 101 due to wear, the installation depth of the yoke plug 230 is increased, thereby preventing vibration noise caused by collision between the yoke 220 and the gear box housing 103.

[0068] A rack support surface 221 formed as a semicircular or arc-shaped groove is provided on the yoke 220, so that the front of the yoke 220 can be tightly attached to the rear surface of the rack 101. By providing a yoke piece 120a on the front surface of the yoke 220, the friction with the rack 101 can be reduced. The yoke 220 is combined with the mounting holes 103a, 103b of the gear box housing 103.

[0069] The yoke piece 120 a has a coupling protrusion 120 b formed on a rear surface thereof so as to be coupled to a coupling groove 221 a formed on the rack support surface 221 of the yoke 220 .

[0070] A threaded portion 231 a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the yoke plug 230 so as to be threadedly engaged with the mounting holes 103 a and 103 b of the gearbox housing 103 . The yoke plug 230 is prevented from loosening and fixed on the outer side of the gearbox housing 103 by a locking nut 105 .

[0071] The yoke support member 113 coupled to the cylinder groove 222 of the yoke 220 supports the rack 101 toward the pinion 102, thereby elastically supporting the yoke 220 and the yoke plug 230 toward the front and rear away from each other, thereby enabling good meshing between the rack 101 and the pinion 102.

[0072] The yoke 220 has a protruding end 223 protruding toward the yoke plug 230 on the bottom surface of the cylinder groove 222 formed at the rear thereof. The protruding end 223 is formed in a column shape spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface 222 a of the cylinder groove 222 .

[0073] In addition, the inner peripheral surface of the yoke support member 113 is supported on the outer peripheral side of the protruding end portion 223 , and the outer peripheral surface of the yoke support member 113 is provided to be spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface of the tapered protrusion 233 provided on the yoke plug 230 .

[0074] Therefore, the position of the yoke support member 113 is fixed by the protruding end portion 223 , thereby preventing vibration noise caused by collision with the inner peripheral surface of the tapered protrusion 233 .

[0075] At the rear of the yoke 220 , a mounting groove 227 is provided between the outer circumferential surface of the yoke 220 and the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder groove 222 , and the plug support member 115 for elastically supporting the yoke plug 230 is coupled to the mounting groove 227 .

[0076] The plug support member 115 can prevent vibration noise caused by the collision between the yoke 220 and the yoke plug 230 , and can also attenuate the impact of the road surface transmitted through the rack 101 .

[0077] The yoke 220 includes a cutout portion 125 formed by cutting from the outer peripheral surface of the yoke 220 to the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder groove 222 . The cutout portion 125 may be cut radially from the center of the yoke 220 and may be formed in plurality.

[0078] Such a cutout portion 125 may be formed to have the same cutting width in the circumferential direction, so that the separation protrusion 126 may be elastically deformed more uniformly in the circumferential direction and the radial direction.

[0079] In addition, a circumferential groove 229 connected to the cutout portion 125 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the yoke 220, and a housing support member 117 is combined with the outer peripheral groove 229. The housing support member 117 is used to elastically support the inner peripheral surfaces of the mounting holes 103a and 103b of the gear box housing 103.

[0080] According to the rack support device of the automobile steering device of this embodiment having the structure and shape as described above, when the rack slides left and right, the left and right supporting forces of the yoke for supporting the rack become uniform, thereby preventing the noise generated by the increase in the gap due to the wear of the yoke or the noise generated by the reverse impact from the road surface, and providing the driver with a comfortable steering feeling when steering.

[0081] The above description is only an exemplary description of the technical idea of ​​the present embodiment. For those skilled in the art of the present embodiment, various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. In addition, since the embodiments disclosed in the present embodiment are not intended to limit the technical idea of ​​the present embodiment but are used for illustration, the scope of the present technical idea is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present embodiment shall be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope shall be interpreted as included within the scope of the claims of the present embodiment.

Claims

1. A rack support device for a vehicle steering device, characterized in that: include: A yoke, the front of which supports the rack, a tapered groove is provided at the rear center of the yoke, the inner peripheral surface of the tapered groove has a diameter that becomes smaller toward the rack, and the yoke is coupled to a mounting hole of a gear box housing; and A yoke plug is provided with a support protrusion in front of the yoke plug, the support protrusion protrudes toward the yoke and is supported on the inner peripheral surface of the tapered groove, and the yoke plug supports the yoke toward the rack side and is fixed to the mounting hole.

2. The rack support device of the automobile steering device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A yoke support member is also included, the yoke support member being coupled to the tapered groove of the yoke and elastically supporting the yoke and the yoke plug toward the front and rear away from each other.

3. The rack support device of the automobile steering device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A protruding end portion protruding toward the yoke plug is provided on the bottom surface of the tapered groove of the yoke.

4. The rack support device of the automobile steering device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An annular mounting groove is formed at the rear of the yoke, and the mounting groove is arranged between the outer peripheral surface of the yoke and the inner peripheral surface of the tapered groove. A plug support member for elastically supporting the yoke plug is coupled to the mounting groove.

5. The rack support device of the automobile steering device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The yoke is provided with a cutout portion cut from an outer peripheral surface of the yoke to an inner peripheral surface of the tapered groove.

6. A rack support device for a vehicle steering device, characterized in that: include: A yoke, the front of which supports the rack, a cylinder groove is provided at the rear center of the yoke, the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder groove has the same diameter, and the yoke is coupled to the mounting hole of the gear box housing; and A yoke plug is provided with a conical protrusion in front of the yoke plug, and the conical protrusion protrudes and is supported on the inner circumference of the cylinder groove in a manner in which the diameter of its outer circumference becomes smaller toward the rack side. The yoke plug supports the yoke toward the rack side and is fixed to the mounting hole.

7. The rack support device of the automobile steering device according to claim 6, characterized in that: A yoke support member is also included, the yoke support member being coupled to the cylinder groove of the yoke and elastically supporting the yoke and the yoke plug toward the front and rear away from each other.

8. The rack support device of the automobile steering device according to claim 7, characterized in that: A protruding end portion protruding toward the yoke plug is provided on the bottom surface of the cylinder groove of the yoke.

9. The rack support device of the automobile steering device according to claim 6, characterized in that: An annular mounting groove is formed at the rear of the yoke, and the mounting groove is arranged between the outer peripheral surface of the yoke and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder groove. A plug support member for elastically supporting the yoke plug is coupled to the mounting groove.

10. The rack support device of the automobile steering device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The yoke is provided with a cutout portion cut from an outer peripheral surface of the yoke to an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder groove.

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