Intelligent pretensioning type steering transmission shaft

Abstract

This invention discloses an intelligent preloaded steering drive shaft, relating to the field of steering drive shaft technology. It includes a ball sleeve, a ball shaft assembly disposed within the ball sleeve, and a universal joint fork assembly disposed at one end of the ball sleeve. The ball shaft assembly includes a ball shaft and a ball adjustment assembly connected to the ball shaft. The ball adjustment assembly includes a center cage, a positioning sleeve, a ball cage assembly, several raceways, and several preload rings. The preload rings are fitted onto the outer rings of two opposing ball cages and placed within preload ring grooves. Several rows of balls are arranged in a single row between the raceways and the inner wall of the ball sleeve, forming a rolling fit along the axial direction. This invention has a compact overall structure and smooth extension and retraction. By applying preload through the elastic deformation of the preload rings, it can adaptively compensate for manufacturing and wear-induced clearances, eliminate transmission backlash, and improve steering accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of steering drive shaft technology, and more particularly to intelligent preload steering drive shafts. Background Technology

[0002] The telescopic shaft of the vehicle steering mechanism needs to be able to absorb the axial displacement generated during vehicle movement to prevent vibration from being transmitted to the steering wheel. It should also have an axial position adjustment function to adapt to different driver postures.

[0003] In existing steering drive shafts, the ball bearing and ball sleeve typically employ a sliding or rolling fit to achieve expansion and contraction. Traditional sliding fit structures (such as spline connections) suffer from high expansion resistance, increased clearance over long-term use, and a tendency to generate abnormal noise. In existing rolling fit structures, the clearance between the balls and raceways is difficult to control precisely: excessive clearance leads to large free travel, low steering accuracy, and abnormal noise; insufficient clearance results in high expansion resistance and uneven sliding. Furthermore, the clearance caused by wear over long-term use cannot be automatically compensated for, leading to a gradual decline in transmission performance and impacting driving comfort and safety. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned technical problems and provide an intelligent preloaded steering drive shaft.

[0005] To achieve the above technical objectives and requirements, the technical solution adopted by this invention is: an intelligent pre-tensioned steering drive shaft, comprising a ball sleeve, a ball shaft assembly disposed within the ball sleeve, and a universal joint fork assembly disposed at one end of the ball sleeve. The ball shaft assembly includes a ball shaft and a ball adjusting assembly connected to the ball shaft. The ball adjusting assembly includes: A central retainer, wherein multiple sets of insertion holes are evenly distributed around the circumference of the central retainer; A positioning sleeve is fitted onto the outer ring of the central retainer. The positioning sleeve is provided with a plurality of ball mounting grooves evenly distributed around its circumference, and a pre-tightening ring groove is provided on the inner edge of the ball mounting groove. Several sets of ball cage assemblies, the ball cage assembly including two symmetrically arranged ball cages, the ball cages being disposed in corresponding insertion holes of the central cage through positioning sleeves; Several raceways, each raceway consisting of two symmetrically arranged raceway components, the raceways being disposed between two opposing ball cages; Several preload rings are provided, each of which is fitted onto the outer ring of two opposing ball cages and disposed in a preload ring groove, for applying radial preload to the two ball cages.

[0006] Several rows of balls are arranged in a single row between the corresponding raceway and the inner wall of the ball sleeve, forming a rolling fit along the axial direction.

[0007] Preferably, the upper inner side of the ball retainer is provided with a spherical groove adapted to the ball, and the middle part is a vertical planar structure, with the ball limited between the spherical groove and the raceway.

[0008] Preferably, the raceway component has a fan-shaped cross-section, with an arc-shaped groove on its inner side adapted to the ball bearing, and an arc-shaped groove at the bottom adapted to the pre-tightening ring.

[0009] Preferably, the inner wall of the ball sleeve is provided with several arc-shaped ball tracks that cooperate with several rows of balls, and each arc-shaped ball track forms a rolling cooperation with a corresponding row of balls and raceways.

[0010] Preferably, the pre-tightening ring is an elastic rubber ring.

[0011] Preferably, the insertion hole sidewall of the central retainer is provided with an oil groove, and / or the ball mounting groove of the positioning sleeve is provided with a grease storage cavity.

[0012] Compared with the traditional structure, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: 1. The invention features a compact overall structure, smooth extension and retraction, no abnormal noise, and a long service life. It employs a single-row, non-enclosed ball bearing rolling structure, where the balls form an open rolling path between the raceway and the ball sleeve, resulting in quieter and smoother extension and retraction. 2. By applying preload through the elastic deformation of the preload ring, the clearance caused by manufacturing and wear can be adaptively compensated, ensuring that the balls and the inner wall of the ball sleeve are always in close contact, realizing intelligent preload, eliminating transmission clearance, and improving steering accuracy; 3. The preload ring supports the raceway from the bottom, providing radial preload while providing elastic support for the raceway and balls, further enhancing the stability and impact resistance of the structure. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the raceway of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the ball cage structure of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the raceway structure of the present invention; In the diagram: 1. Universal joint fork assembly, 2. Ball sleeve, 21. Arc-shaped ball track, 3. Ball shaft, 4. Ball adjustment assembly, 41. Center cage, 411. Insertion hole, 42. Positioning sleeve, 421. Ball mounting groove, 422. Preload ring groove, 43. Ball cage, 431. Spherical groove, 432. Vertical plane, 44. Raceway, 441. Raceway component, 4411. Arc-shaped groove, 4412. Arc-shaped recess, 45. Ball, 46. Preload ring. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The present invention will be further described below.

[0015] See attached document Figure 1 The intelligent preload steering drive shaft includes a ball sleeve 2, a ball shaft assembly disposed within the ball sleeve 2, and a universal joint fork assembly 1 disposed at one end of the ball sleeve 2. The universal joint fork assembly includes a first universal joint fork, a cross shaft, and a second universal joint fork, which are used to connect with other components of the steering system.

[0016] The ball bearing assembly includes a ball bearing 3 and a ball adjusting assembly 4 connected to the ball bearing 3. like Figure 2 As shown, the ball adjustment assembly 4 includes a central retainer 41, a positioning sleeve 42, several sets of ball retainers 43, several raceways 44, several pre-tensioning rings 46, and several rows of balls 45.

[0017] The central retainer 41 is approximately trident-shaped or star-shaped, and has multiple sets of insertion holes 411 (two symmetrical insertion holes in each set) evenly distributed around its circumference; the sidewalls of the insertion holes of the central retainer 41 are provided with oil grooves for storing lubricating oil and reducing friction when the ball adjusting assembly 4 slides.

[0018] The positioning sleeve 42 is fitted on the outer ring of the central retainer 41. The positioning sleeve 42 is provided with a plurality of ball mounting grooves 421 evenly distributed around its circumference. Pre-tightening ring grooves 422 are provided on both sides of the inner edge of the ball mounting grooves 421. A grease storage cavity can be provided in the ball mounting grooves 421 to provide long-term lubrication.

[0019] The ball cage assembly includes two symmetrically arranged ball cages 43, which pass through positioning sleeves 42 and are positioned within corresponding insertion holes of the central cage 41; as Figure 3 As shown, each ball retainer 43 has a spherical groove 431 on the upper inner side that is adapted to the ball 45, and a vertical plane 432 structure in the middle. The ball 45 is limited between the spherical groove 431 and the raceway 44.

[0020] The preload ring 46 is an O-ring. During installation, the preload ring 46 is fitted onto the outer rings of the two opposing ball retainers 43 and engages with the preload ring groove 422 of the positioning sleeve 42, which mates with the outer ring groove of the ball retainer 43. The elastic deformation of the preload ring 46 generates a radial contraction force, pulling the two ball retainers 43 towards the center, thereby applying a preload force.

[0021] Several rows of balls 45 are arranged in a single row between the corresponding raceway 44 and the inner wall of the ball sleeve 2 to form a rolling fit along the axial direction.

[0022] The raceway 44 includes two symmetrically arranged raceway members 441, and the raceway 44 is disposed between two opposing ball cages 43; as shown in the figure Figure 4 As shown, the raceway component 441 has a fan-shaped cross-section, with an arc-shaped groove 4411 on its inner side adapted to the ball, and an arc-shaped groove 4412 on its bottom adapted to the pre-tensioning ring 46. Two symmetrical raceway components 441 are respectively installed on the two sides of the pre-tensioning ring 46, forming a sliding channel for the ball 45.

[0023] The inner wall of the ball sleeve 2 is provided with several arc-shaped ball tracks 21 that cooperate with several rows of balls 45. Each arc-shaped ball track 21 extends axially and forms a rolling fit with a corresponding row of balls 45 and raceway 44.

[0024] During assembly, the balls 45 are placed in a single row within the channel between the two raceway components 441, with the upper part of the balls 45 protruding from the arcuate groove 4411 of the raceway 44. When the ball bearing shaft 3 drives the ball adjusting assembly 4 into the ball sleeve 2, the balls 45 contact the arcuate ball track 21 on the inner wall of the ball sleeve 2. Due to the preload of the preload ring 46, the balls 45 are pressed against the arcuate ball track 21, achieving a rolling fit. When the ball bearing shaft 3 moves axially relative to the ball sleeve 2, the balls 45 roll between the raceway 44 and the arcuate ball track 21. The axial displacement of the balls 45 is limited by the spherical groove 431 at the top of the ball retainer 43, preventing them from coming out.

[0025] This invention provides adaptive preload through a preload ring 46. Even after prolonged use and slight wear, the elastic deformation of the preload ring 46 maintains good contact between the balls 45 and the ball sleeve 2, eliminating transmission backlash and preventing abnormal noise. Simultaneously, the use of a single-row, non-enclosed ball bearing design results in quieter and smoother telescopic movements.

[0026] The above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples to clearly illustrate the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent technical solutions also fall within the scope of the present invention, and the patent protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An intelligent pre-tensioned steering drive shaft, comprising a ball sleeve (2), a ball shaft assembly disposed within the ball sleeve (2), and a universal joint fork assembly (1) disposed at one end of the ball sleeve (2), characterized in that: The ball bearing assembly includes a ball bearing (3) and a ball adjusting assembly (4) connected to the ball bearing (3); the ball adjusting assembly (4) includes: A central retainer (41) is provided with multiple sets of insertion holes (411) evenly distributed around its circumference. Positioning sleeve (42) is fitted on the outer ring of the center retainer (41). The positioning sleeve (42) is provided with a plurality of ball mounting grooves (421) evenly distributed around its circumference. The inner edge of the ball mounting grooves (421) is provided with a pre-tightening ring groove (422). Several sets of ball cage assemblies, the ball cage assembly including two symmetrically arranged ball cages (43), the ball cages (43) passing through the positioning sleeve (42) and set in the corresponding insertion hole of the central cage (41); Several raceways (44), each raceway (44) is composed of two symmetrically arranged raceway components (441), and the raceways (44) are arranged between two opposing ball cages (43); Several preload rings (46), each of the preload rings (46) is respectively fitted on the outer ring of two opposing ball retainers (43) and disposed in the preload ring groove (422), for applying radial preload force to the two ball retainers (43); Several rows of balls (45) are arranged in a single row between the corresponding raceway (44) and the inner wall of the ball sleeve (2) to form a rolling fit along the axial direction.

2. The intelligent pre-tensioned steering drive shaft according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper inner side of the ball retainer (43) is provided with a spherical groove (431) adapted to the ball (45), and the middle part is a vertical plane (432) structure. The ball (45) is limited between the spherical groove (431) and the raceway (44).

3. The intelligent pre-tensioned steering drive shaft according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross-section of the raceway component (441) is fan-shaped, and its inner side is provided with an arc-shaped groove (4411) adapted to the ball (45), and the bottom is provided with an arc-shaped groove (4412) adapted to the pre-tightening ring (46).

4. The intelligent pre-tensioned steering drive shaft according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the ball sleeve (2) is provided with several arc-shaped ball tracks (21) that cooperate with several rows of balls (45). Each arc-shaped ball track (21) forms a rolling fit with a corresponding row of balls (45) and raceway (44).

5. The intelligent pre-tensioned steering drive shaft according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pre-tightening ring (46) is an elastic rubber ring.

6. The intelligent pre-tensioned steering drive shaft according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central retainer (41) has an oil groove on the side wall of the insertion hole, and / or the positioning sleeve (42) has a grease storage cavity in the ball mounting groove (421).

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