Steering apparatus for vehicle

Abstract

A steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the present disclosure includes: a housing; a worm wheel accommodated in the housing and mounted on the steering shaft; a worm that rotates by engaging with the worm wheel; the bearing is mounted on the worm; and a damper rotatably surrounding the bearing, in contact with an inner surface of the housing, and providing an elastic force to the worm toward the worm gear side. The steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the present disclosure may easily manage inclination of a worm through a damper.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a steering device for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a steering device for a vehicle that can limit the inclination of a worm and prevent its movement. Background Art

[0002] In a conventional steering device for a vehicle, a bottom bearing is configured as a spring, a sliding damper, and an end cap assembly to compensate for the rotation and inclination of the worm when the worm and the worm wheel are driven. The axial distance between the worm wheel and the worm cannot be kept constant, and thus the worm inclines depending on the pressure angle when the worm rotates. The inclination of the worm increases abnormal noise and friction, and causes noise when the inclination of the worm exceeds a target inclination amount. Therefore, there is a need to improve this.

[0003] The background art of the present disclosure is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2261787 (registered on June 1, 2021 and entitled "Steering Device for Vehicle"). Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] Various embodiments of the present disclosure aim to provide a steering device for a vehicle that can limit the inclination of a worm and prevent the worm from moving.

[0005] A steering device for a vehicle according to the present disclosure may include: a housing; a worm wheel accommodated in the housing and mounted on a steering shaft; a worm that rotates by engaging with the worm wheel; a bearing mounted on the worm; and a damper rotatably surrounding the bearing, contacting an inner surface of the housing, and providing an elastic force to the worm toward the worm wheel side.

[0006] The damper may include: a cover that closes the open housing; and an elastic part configured such that a first side of the elastic part is mounted on the cover and a second side of the elastic part rotatably surrounds the bearing, wherein the elastic part contacts the inner surface of the housing and elastically presses the worm toward the worm wheel side.

[0007] The elastic part may include: an elastically deformable part configured such that a first side of the elastically deformable part is mounted on the cover and a second side of the elastically deformable part rotatably surrounds the bearing, and the elastically deformable part includes an elastically deformable material; and a leaf spring mounted on the elastically deformable part, and the leaf spring provides an elastic force to the bearing in response to the elastically deformable part being elastically deformed due to the inclination of the worm.

[0008] The elastic deformation part may include: an elastic deformation main body part, which is installed on the cover and formed in a circular shape; elastic side support parts, which are formed to protrude from both sides of the inner surface of the elastic deformation main body part respectively and support the leaf spring; an elastic lower support part, which is formed to protrude from the lower side of the inner surface of the elastic deformation main body part and support the bearing; and an elastic upper support part, which is formed to protrude from the upper side of the inner surface of the elastic deformation main body part, and the elastic upper support part adjusts the inclination amount of the worm by providing an elastic force when contacting the bearing.

[0009] The elastic upper support part may be formed to protrude from the upper side of the inner surface of the elastic deformation main body part at a predetermined distance from the leaf spring.

[0010] The elastic upper support part may be formed to protrude from the upper side of the inner surface of the elastic deformation main body part in a hollow shape.

[0011] The elastic side support part may include: elastic side contact parts, which are formed such that each pair of elastic side contact parts protrude from both sides of the inner surface of the elastic deformation main body part respectively, and the elastic side contact parts contact the leaf spring; elastic side stopper parts, which are fixed to the elastic deformation main body part and arranged between a pair of elastic side contact parts.

[0012] The elastic lower support part may include: an elastic lower support main body part, which is formed to protrude from the lower side of the inner surface of the elastic deformation main body part; and an elastic lower contact part, which is vertically provided at the end of the elastic lower support part, and the elastic lower contact part contacts the bearing.

[0013] The elastic deformation part may further include an elastic stopper part, which is installed on the elastic deformation main body part and arranged inside the leaf spring, and when the leaf spring moves toward the worm side due to the elastic upper support part, the elastic stopper part prevents the leaf spring from detaching.

[0014] The cover may include: a cover main body part, which closes the open housing; and a cover support part, which is formed to protrude from the cover main body part along the circumferential direction of the cover main body part, and the elastic part is installed on the cover support part.

[0015] The steering device for a vehicle according to the present disclosure can easily manage the inclination of the worm through a damper.

[0016] In addition, according to the present disclosure, by adjusting the inclination of the worm with one damper, the number of components can be reduced and the assembly process can be reduced, so that the manufacturing cost can be saved and the productivity can be improved. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a steering device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 2Schematically shows an assembled perspective view of a steering device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 3 Schematically shows a perspective view of a damper according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 4 Schematically shows an assembled perspective view of a damper according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 5 Schematically shows a perspective view of the main configuration of a steering device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 6 Schematically shows a side view of the main configuration of a steering device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 7 Schematically shows a perspective view of the operation of the main configuration of a steering device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 8 Schematically shows a side view of the operation of the main configuration of a steering device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Embodiments

[0025] Hereinafter, a steering device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this process, for clarity and convenience of description, the thickness of the lines or the dimensions of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated.

[0026] In addition, the terms to be described below have been defined by considering their functions in the present disclosure and may be changed according to the intention or practice of the user or operator. Therefore, these terms should be defined based on the overall content of this specification.

[0027] Figure 1 Schematically shows a perspective view of a steering device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 Schematically shows an assembled perspective view of a steering device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 3 Schematically shows a perspective view of a damper according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 4 Schematically shows an assembled perspective view of a damper according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 5 Schematically shows a perspective view of the main configuration of a steering device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 6is a side view schematically showing the main configuration of a steering device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 7 is a perspective view schematically showing the operation of the main configuration of a steering device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 is a side view schematically showing the operation of the main configuration of a steering device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Referring Figures 1 to 8 , a steering device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a housing 100, a steering shaft 200, a worm wheel 300, a worm 400, a bearing 500, and a damper 600.

[0029] The steering shaft 200, the worm wheel 300, the worm 400, the bearing 500, and the damper 600 may be installed in the inner space of the housing 100. One side of the housing 100 ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 the left side) is formed to be open, and the damper 600 may be installed on the open housing 100.

[0030] The steering shaft 200 may be connected to the steering wheel of the vehicle. The worm wheel 300 may be accommodated in the inner space of the housing 100 and installed on the steering shaft 200.

[0031] The worm 400 may rotate by engaging with the worm wheel 300. The worm 400 that rotates together by engaging with the worm wheel 300 may be connected to a motor 700 through a shaft. The motor 700 may be connected to the first side of the worm 400 ( Figure 1 the right side), and a bearing 500 formed in an annular shape is installed on the second side of the worm 400 ( Figure 1 the left side).

[0032] The bearing 500 may be installed on the end portion of the worm 400 ( Figure 1 the left end portion). The bearing 500 installed on the end portion of the worm 400 may rotatably support the worm 400 and reduce the friction generated when the worm 400 rotates.

[0033] The damper 600 may rotatably surround the bearing 500, contact the inner surface of the housing 100, and elastically press the worm 400 toward the worm wheel 300 side ( Figure 1 the lower side). The damper 600 may elastically press the worm 400 toward the worm wheel 300 so that the inclination of the worm 400 can be prevented or reduced.

[0034] The damper 600 may include a cover 610 and an elastic portion 620. The cover 610 may close one side of the open housing 100 ( Figure 1On the left side). The cover 610 can enclose the open housing 100 to prevent foreign matter from flowing into the housing 100.

[0035] The cover 610 can include a cover body portion 611 and a cover support portion 613. The cover body portion 611 can enclose one side of the open housing ( Figure 1 On the left side). The cover support portion 613 can be formed to protrude from the cover body portion 611 along the circumferential direction of the cover body portion 611, and the elastic portion 620 can be mounted on the cover support portion. The cover support portion 613 can be coupled to the elastic portion 620 by an adhesive method.

[0036] The cover 610 can be made of an elastically deformable material. The cover 610 can be made of an elastically deformable material and can be easily mounted on the housing 100 to prevent foreign matter from flowing into the housing by filling the gap in the housing 100. The cover 610 can be made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber, silicone, or polyurethane.

[0037] The elastic portion 620 can be configured such that the first side of the elastic portion 620 ( Figure 2 On the left side) is mounted on the cover 610, and the second side of the elastic portion 620 ( Figure 2 On the right side) rotatably surrounds the bearing 500. The elastic portion 620 can contact the inner surface of the housing 100 and provide an elastic force to the worm 400 toward the side of the worm wheel 300. When the worm 400 is tilted, the elastic portion 620 can elastically press the worm 400 toward the side of the worm wheel by providing an elastic force to the worm 400 mounted on the bearing 500.

[0038] The elastic portion 620 can include an elastically deformable portion 630 and a leaf spring 640. The elastically deformable portion 630 can be configured such that the first side of the elastically deformable portion 630 ( Figure 2 On the left side) is mounted on the cover 610, and the second side of the elastically deformable portion 630 ( Figure 2 On the right side) rotatably surrounds the bearing 500, and the elastically deformable portion 630 is made of an elastically deformable material. The leaf spring 640 can be mounted on the elastically deformable portion 630. The elastically deformable portion 630 can elastically press the worm 400 toward the side of the worm wheel 300 while elastically deforming together with the leaf spring 640.

[0039] Reference Figures 3 to 4 , the elastically deformable portion 630 can include an elastically deformable body portion 631, an elastic side support portion 633, an elastic lower support portion 635, and an elastic upper support portion 637.

[0040] The elastically deformable body portion 631 can be mounted on the cover 610 and formed in a circular shape. The elastically deformable body portion 631 can be coupled to the cover support portion 613 of the cover 610 by an adhesive method. The bearing 500 can be mounted at the center of the elastically deformable body portion 631.

[0041] The elastic side support portions 633 can be formed to project from both sides of the inner surface of the elastic deformation main body portion 631 respectively and support the leaf spring 640. The elastic side support portions 633 can include elastic side contact portions 633a and elastic side stopper portions 633b.

[0042] The elastic side contact portions 633a can be formed as a pair of elastic side contact portions projecting from both sides of the inner surface of the elastic deformation main body portion 631 respectively and contact the leaf spring 640. In addition, the elastic side contact portions 633a can be formed to project from both sides of the inner surface of the elastic deformation main body portion 631 in a hollow square shape.

[0043] The elastic side stopper portions 633b can be fixed to the elastic deformation main body portion 631 and are provided between the pair of elastic side contact portions 633a. The elastic side stopper portions 633b can be fixed to the elastic deformation main body portion 631 in a columnar shape. The elastic side stopper portions 633b can be arranged to contact or be spaced apart from the leaf spring 640. The elastic side stopper portions 633b can prevent the elastically deformed leaf spring 640 from disengaging by assisting the elastic side contact portions 633a.

[0044] The elastic lower support portion 635 can be formed to project from the lower side of the inner surface of the elastic deformation main body portion 631 and support the bearing 500. The elastic lower support portion 635 can be formed to project from the lower side of the inner surface of the elastic deformation main body portion 631 toward the upper side of the inner surface.

[0045] The elastic lower support portion 635 can include an elastic lower support main body portion 635a and an elastic lower contact portion 635b. The elastic lower support main body portion 635a can be formed to project toward the bearing 500 from the lower side of the inner surface of the elastic deformation main body portion 631 in the direction of the upper side of the inner surface. The elastic lower support main body portion 635a can be formed to project from the lower side of the inner surface of the elastic deformation main body portion 631 in a linear shape.

[0046] The elastic lower contact portion 635b is vertically provided at the end of the elastic lower support main body portion 635a ( Figure 3 on the upper side) and can contact the bearing 500. The elastic lower contact portion 635b can be configured such that its lower surface contacts the leaf spring 640 and its upper surface contacts the bearing 500. The upper surface of the elastic lower contact portion 635b that contacts the bearing 500 can be formed in a curved shape corresponding to the shape of the bearing 500.

[0047] The elastic upper support portion 637 can be formed to project from the upper side of the inner surface of the elastic deformation main body portion 631, and the elastic upper support portion adjusts the inclination amount of the worm 400 by providing an elastic force when contacting the bearing portion 500.

[0048] The elastic upper support portion 637 can adjust the tilt amount of the worm 400 by adjusting a predetermined distance L that is spaced apart from the leaf spring 640 or the bearing portion 500.

[0049] The elastic upper support portion 637 can be formed to protrude from the upper side of the inner surface of the elastically deformable body portion 631 at a predetermined distance L spaced apart from the leaf spring 640.

[0050] The tilt amount of the worm 400 can increase as the predetermined distance L spaced apart between the elastic upper support portion 637 and the leaf spring 640 becomes larger, and the tilt amount of the worm 400 can decrease as the predetermined distance L spaced apart between the elastic upper support portion 637 and the bearing 500 becomes smaller.

[0051] The elastic upper support portion 637 can be formed to protrude in a hollow shape from the upper side of the inner surface of the elastically deformable body portion 631. The elastic upper support portion 637 formed in a hollow shape can be elastically deformed due to contact with the leaf spring 640 or the bearing 500, and can provide an elastic force (or elastic restoring force) when the contact with the leaf spring or the bearing is released. The elastic upper support portion 637 can be formed in a hollow square shape.

[0052] The elastically deformable portion 630 can further include an elastic stopper portion 639. The elastic stopper portion 639 can be mounted on the elastically deformable body portion 631. The elastic stopper portion 639 formed in a cylindrical shape can be mounted on the elastically deformable body portion 631.

[0053] The elastic stopper portion 639 is provided inside the leaf spring 640, and can prevent the leaf spring 640 from detaching when the leaf spring 640 moves due to the elastic upper support portion 637 toward the lower side of the Figure 5 worm 400 side). That is, when moving toward the worm 400 side due to the elastic upper support portion 637, the leaf spring 640 can be prevented from detaching from the elastically deformable body portion 631 by being caught by the elastic stopper portion 639.

[0054] The elastically deformable portion 630 can be made of an elastically deformable material. The elastically deformable portion 630 can be made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber, silicone resin, or polyurethane.

[0055] The leaf spring 640 can be mounted on the elastically deformable portion 630, and when the elastically deformable portion 630 is elastically deformed due to the tilt of the worm 400, the leaf spring 640 provides an elastic force to the bearing 500. The leaf spring 640 can be made of metal or glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP).

[0056] One side ( Figure 4 the lower side) of the leaf spring 640 can be formed to be open, and the open leaf spring 640 can be mounted on the elastic lower support body portion 635a of the elastic lower support portion 635.

[0057] The leaf spring 640 can be configured such that its side surfaces are supported by the elastic side support portions 633, its lower side is supported by the elastic lower support portion 635, and its upper side is in contact with the elastic upper support portion 637. The elastic stopper 639 can be provided inside the leaf spring 640.

[0058] Reference Figures 5 to 8 A steering apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure that adjusts the inclination of the adjusting worm 400 will be disclosed.

[0059] The elastic upper support portion 637 of the elastic deformation portion 630 can adjust the inclination amount of the worm 400 by adjusting a predetermined distance L that is spaced apart from the leaf spring 640 or the bearing 500.

[0060] More specifically, it is desirable to adjust the predetermined distance L that is spaced apart between the elastic upper support portion 637 and the leaf spring 640.

[0061] The inclination amount of the worm 400 can be adjusted to increase as the predetermined distance L that is spaced apart between the elastic upper support portion 637 and the leaf spring 640 becomes larger, and to decrease as the predetermined distance L that is spaced apart between the elastic upper support portion 637 and the bearing 500 becomes smaller.

[0062] The steering apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can easily manage the inclination of the worm 400 through the damper 600.

[0063] In addition, according to the present disclosure, by adjusting the inclination of the worm 400 with one damper 600, the number of components can be reduced and the assembly process can be reduced, so that the manufacturing cost can be saved and the productivity can be improved.

[0064] The present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but these embodiments are merely exemplary. Those skilled in the art to which this technical field pertains should understand that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A steering device for a vehicle, characterized in that, The steering device includes: A housing; A worm wheel, accommodated in the housing and mounted on a steering shaft; A worm, which rotates by engaging with the worm wheel; A bearing, mounted on the worm; and A damper, rotatably surrounding the bearing, contacting an inner surface of the housing, and providing an elastic force to the worm toward the worm wheel side.

2. The steering device for a vehicle according to claim 1, Characterized in that, The damper includes: A cover, closing an open housing; and An elastic part, configured such that a first side of the elastic part is mounted on the cover and a second side of the elastic part rotatably surrounds the bearing, wherein the elastic part contacts the inner surface of the housing, and the elastic part elastically presses the worm toward the worm wheel side.

3. The steering device for a vehicle according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The elastic part includes: An elastically deformable part, configured such that a first side of the elastically deformable part is mounted on the cover and a second side of the elastically deformable part rotatably surrounds the bearing, and the elastically deformable part includes an elastically deformable material; and A leaf spring, mounted on the elastically deformable part, and the leaf spring provides an elastic force to the bearing in response to elastic deformation of the elastically deformable part due to inclination of the worm.

4. The steering device for a vehicle according to claim 3, It is characterized in that The elastically deformable part includes: An elastically deformable body part, mounted on the cover and formed in a circular shape; Elastic side support parts, formed to protrude from both sides of an inner surface of the elastically deformable body part respectively and supporting the leaf spring; An elastic lower support part, formed to protrude from a lower side of the inner surface of the elastically deformable body part, and supporting the bearing; and An elastic upper support part, formed to protrude from an upper side of the inner surface of the elastically deformable body part, and the elastic upper support part adjusts an inclination amount of the worm by providing an elastic force when contacting the bearing.

5. The steering device for a vehicle according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The elastic upper support part is formed to protrude from the upper side of the inner surface of the elastically deformable body part at a predetermined distance from the leaf spring.

6. The steering device for a vehicle according to claim 4, It is characterized in that, The elastic upper support part is formed to protrude from the upper side of the inner surface of the elastically deformable body part in a hollow shape.

7. The steering device for a vehicle according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The elastic side support parts include: Elastic side contact parts, formed such that each pair of the elastic side contact parts protrudes from both sides of the inner surface of the elastically deformable body part respectively, and the elastic side contact parts contact the leaf spring; and Elastic side stopper parts, fixed to the elastically deformable body part and provided between a pair of the elastic side contact parts.

8. The steering device for a vehicle according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The elastic lower support part includes: An elastic lower support body part, formed to protrude from the lower side of the inner surface of the elastically deformable body part; and An elastic lower contact part, vertically provided at an end of the elastic lower support part, and the elastic lower contact part contacts the bearing.

9. The steering device for a vehicle according to claim 4, It is characterized in that, The elastic deformation part further includes an elastic stopper, the elastic stopper is installed on the elastic deformation body part and is arranged inside the leaf spring, and when the leaf spring moves toward the worm side due to the elastic upper support part, the elastic stopper prevents the leaf spring from detaching.

10. The steering device for a vehicle according to claim 2, Characterized in that, The cover includes: A cover body part that closes the open housing; and A cover support part that is formed to protrude from the cover body part along the circumferential direction of the cover body part, and the elastic part is installed on the cover support part.

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