Gap adjusting mechanism of steering gear rack with compact structure
The compact gap adjustment mechanism in the steering system addresses noise and space constraints by using a rolling sleeve with integrated bearings and lubrication, improving steering feel and reducing wear.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422187384.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-15
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-09-06
AI Technical Summary
The rack and rack clearance adjustment structure of the existing steering machines is prone to noise problems when the stress is complicated and the arrangement is compact. The traditional clearance adjustment structure requires a large axial distance and a complex assembly process, which affects the steering feel of the vehicle.
A compact steering gear rack and rack clearance adjustment mechanism is designed, using a combination of rolling lining and bearings, connected to the housing through an interference fit, to achieve rolling friction and be equipped with an oil storage tank to ensure grease replenishment and avoid sliding friction and noise generation.
It realizes smooth clearance adjustment in a compact space, reduces noise, improves steering feel, and simplifies the assembly process and reduces the installation requirements of the entire vehicle.
Smart Images
Figure CN223105228U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of steering systems, and particularly to a clearance adjustment mechanism for a steering gear rack with a compact structure. Background Art
[0002] There are many structures of electric power steering gears. Based on different design platforms, different designs are also adopted for the gear rack clearance structure in the steering gear servo unit. The commonly used gear rack clearance adjustment structure is composed of a pressing block combined with a compression spring or a diaphragm spring at the axial end; there is also a special structure with a self-compensating clearance adjustment structure, which adjusts the clearance through the wedge-shaped movement of a self-compensating piece; subsequent relevant professionals have also proposed various different optimization inventions on the commonly used clearance adjustment structure, such as increasing the number of springs, increasing the pre-tightening force, or improving the spring distribution scheme to optimize the pre-tightening effect. However, the above optimization measures are all minor optimizations based on the original application and cannot directly solve the problems existing in the current clearance adjustment structure. The force condition of the current steering gear is becoming more complex, the peripheral layout is more compact, and the noise problem on electric vehicles is becoming more obvious.
[0003] Therefore, a gear rack clearance adjustment mechanism with a new structure, which is compact in layout position, avoids noise generation, and has smoother clearance adjustment, is particularly important. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the utility model provides a clearance adjustment mechanism for a steering gear rack with a compact structure, realizing functions such as compact structure, fundamentally avoiding noise problems, and smooth adjustment.
[0005] To achieve the above object, a clearance adjustment mechanism for a steering gear rack with a compact structure is designed, including a locking screw and a pressing block base body. It is characterized in that: the bottom of the pressing block base body is connected with the locking screw, a rolling liner is arranged in the pressing block base body, both ends of the rolling liner are respectively connected with the pressing block base body through bearings, and a spring piece is arranged below the bearings.
[0006] The rolling liner has a dumbbell-shaped structure, the middle part of the rolling liner is an arc concave structure, and both ends of the rolling liner are connected with lugs.
[0007] Bearings are sleeved on the lugs at both ends of the rolling liner.
[0008] The pressing block base body has a "concave"-shaped cylinder structure, and the bottom of the groove of the pressing block base body is an arc convex structure. An oil storage groove is arranged on the arc convex structure; spring chambers are respectively arranged on both sides in the groove of the pressing block base body.
[0009] The arc convex structure at the bottom of the groove of the pressing block base body is matched with the arc concave structure in the middle of the rolling liner.
[0010] The bearing and the spring plate are located in the spring chamber of the pressure block base.
[0011] The spring chamber of the pressure block base is a stepped groove structure, and the width of the upper part of the spring chamber is greater than that of the lower part; and the bearing is located at the upper position of the spring chamber, and the spring plate is located at the lower position of the spring chamber.
[0012] The pressure block base is located in the housing, and the pressure block base and the housing are in interference fit.
[0013] Compared with the prior art, the utility model provides a clearance adjustment mechanism for a steering gear rack with a compact structure, optimizes the contact mode between the lining and the rack, changes from sliding friction to rolling friction, and the addition of the grease storage chamber also realizes the timely replenishment of grease during the movement process, expands the adjustable range of the moving force, avoids excessive wear between the lining and the rack, and significantly improves the moving force of the steering gear at the same time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the traditional structural principle.
[0015] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structural principle of the utility model.
[0016] Figure 3 It is a main sectional view of the structure of the utility model.
[0017] Figure 4 It is a side sectional view of the structure of the utility model.
[0018] Figure 5 It is an exploded view of the structure of the utility model.
[0019] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the rolling lining structure in the utility model.
[0020] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the pressure block base structure in the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The following further describes the utility model with reference to the drawings.
[0022] As Figure 1 shown, it is a schematic diagram of the traditional structural principle. In the static state, the pressure block 3 is compressed by the spring 4 and pressed tightly on the rack 1. When the gear and the rack are engaged, the gear pushes the pressure block 3 to move, realizing the function of clearance adjustment. However, the traditional structure has several drawbacks:
[0023] 1. Using the adjustment structure of superimposing the pressure block 3 and the spring 4, an adjustment nut needs to be installed axially on the spring 4, so the axial distance of the traditional structure is relatively large, and the requirements for the installation position of the whole vehicle are relatively high;
[0024] 2. The static friction movement between the briquetting block 3 and the rack 1 can easily cause the steering force of the steering gear to be too large, exceeding the specification required by the customer and affecting the steering feel of the vehicle.
[0025] 3. There is no grease filling position at the fitting position between the briquetting block 3 and the rack 1. After long-term operation, it is easy to lack grease, which is likely to cause noise and hand force fluctuation problems.
[0026] 4. The briquetting block 3 is cylindrical and moves left and right in the hole of the housing 2. Due to the force problem, the edge part of the briquetting block 3 often collides with the housing 2, generating noise.
[0027] As Figure 2 shown, it is a schematic diagram of the structural principle of the present utility model. The briquetting block base 10 is a metal housing with rubber vulcanized on its surface and has an interference fit with the housing 2. Therefore, the briquetting block base 10 will not move relative to the inner wall of the housing 2, avoiding collisions between the gear and rack clearance adjustment structure and the inner wall of the housing 2 and generating abnormal noises. There are interfaces at both ends of the rolling liner 9, and a bearing 5 is respectively assembled on each of them. The bearing 5 can move in the spring chamber 11 of the briquetting block base 10. The axial position of the rolling liner 9 is restricted by the spring chamber 11 and there is a certain spring pre-tightening force. When the gear and rack are engaged, the rack 1 pushes the rolling liner 9 to compress the spring sheet 7 to move. After the rack 1 returns to its original position, the spring sheet 7 releases the spring force to make the rolling liner 9 return to its original position, thus realizing the function of clearance adjustment.
[0028] An oil storage groove 6 is added between the briquetting block base 10 and the rolling liner 9. Whenever the rolling liner 9 rotates one circle, it will pass through the inner bottom of the briquetting block base 10 and be covered with a new layer of grease, ensuring that the grease of the rolling liner 9 will not push the grease to the edge of the rack 1 due to durability, preventing the occurrence of insufficient grease. Moreover, the rolling friction between the rolling liner 9 and the rack 1 is more conducive to meeting the customer's requirements for moving force and hand force fluctuation compared with the current sliding friction liner, improving the steering feel.
[0029] As Figures 3 to 7 shown, it is a schematic diagram of the specific structure of the present utility model. The bottom of the briquetting block base 10 is connected with a locking screw 8. The rolling liner 9 is arranged inside the briquetting block base 10. Both ends of the rolling liner 9 are respectively connected with the briquetting block base 10 through bearings 5, and a spring sheet 7 is arranged below the bearings 5.
[0030] The rolling liner 9 has a dumbbell-shaped structure. The middle part of the rolling liner 9 is an arc concave structure, and both ends of the rolling liner 9 are connected with lug ears 12.
[0031] Bearings 5 are sleeved on the lug ears 12 at both ends of the rolling liner 9.
[0032] The briquetting base body 10 has a cylindrical structure in the shape of a "concave" character, and the bottom of the groove of the briquetting base body 10 is an arc convex structure. An oil storage groove 6 is provided on the arc convex structure; spring chambers 11 are respectively provided on both sides in the groove of the briquetting base body 10.
[0033] The arc convex structure at the bottom of the groove of the briquetting base body 10 cooperates with the arc concave structure in the middle of the rolling lining 9.
[0034] The bearing 5 and the spring plate 7 are located in the spring chamber 11 of the briquetting base body 10.
[0035] The spring chamber 11 of the briquetting base body 10 is a stepped groove structure. The width of the upper part of the spring chamber 11 is greater than the width of the lower part of the spring chamber 11; and the bearing 5 is located at the upper position of the spring chamber 11, and the spring plate 7 is located at the lower position of the spring chamber 11.
[0036] The briquetting base body 10 is located in the housing 2, and the briquetting base body 10 and the housing 2 are in interference fit.
[0037] In the structure of the present utility model, the bearing 5 is installed at the two end lugs 12 of the rolling lining 9, then the spring plate 7 is installed in the spring chamber 11 of the briquetting base body 10, and then the combined rolling lining 9 and the bearing 5 are installed in the spring chamber 11 of the briquetting base body 10 to confirm that the spring plate 7 has been compressed. At this time, the assembly of the briquetting pre-tightening mechanism is completed. Then this briquetting pre-tightening part is installed into the briquetting hole of the housing 2, so that the rolling lining 9 abuts against the rack 1, and finally the locking screw 8 is tightened. Thus, the installation of the entire briquetting structure is completed.
[0038] The advantages of the structure of the present utility model are as follows:
[0039] 1. The structure of the present utility model optimizes the compression spring, diaphragm spring, and O-ring structure required by the traditional structure. As a small assembly, it can be directly produced and assembled by the supplier, reducing the assembly steps and inspection process of the steering gear production line and improving production efficiency;
[0040] 2. The structure of the present utility model optimizes the compression spring, diaphragm spring, and O-ring structure of the laminated assembly, making the position of the steering gear briquetting no longer particularly prominent, and it can meet the clearance requirements even without concave treatment of the vehicle subframe;
[0041] 3. The structure of the present utility model optimizes the contact method between the lining and the rack, changing from sliding friction to rolling friction. The addition of the grease storage chamber also realizes the timely replenishment of grease during the movement process, expanding the adjustable range of the moving force, avoiding excessive wear between the lining and the rack, and significantly improving the moving force of the steering gear;
[0042] 4. The structure of the utility model is an integral pressing block structure, which is interference-fitted with the inner wall of the shell, and rubber vibration isolation is vulcanized on the surface to avoid the impact noise generated by the movement of the pressing block and the collision with the shell.
Claims
1. A clearance adjustment mechanism for a steering gear rack with a compact structure, comprising a locking screw and a press block base body, characterized in that: The bottom of the briquetting base body (10) is connected with a locking screw (8). A rolling liner (9) is arranged inside the briquetting base body (10). The two ends of the rolling liner (9) are respectively connected with the briquetting base body (10) through bearings (5). A spring plate (7) is arranged below the bearings (5).
2. The clearance adjusting mechanism of a steering gear rack with a compact structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rolling liner (9) is in a dumbbell-shaped structure. The middle part of the rolling liner (9) is in an arc concave structure. The two ends of the rolling liner (9) are connected with lugs (12).
3. The clearance adjusting mechanism of a steering gear rack with a compact structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: Bearings (5) are sleeved on the lugs (12) at the two ends of the rolling liner (9).
4. A clearance adjustment mechanism for a steering gear rack with a compact structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The briquetting base body (10) is in a cylindrical structure in the shape of "concave". The bottom of the groove of the briquetting base body (10) is in an arc convex structure. An oil storage groove (6) is arranged on the arc convex structure. Spring chambers (11) are respectively arranged on both sides in the groove of the briquetting base body (10).
5. The clearance adjusting mechanism of a steering gear rack with a compact structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The arc convex structure at the bottom of the groove of the briquetting base body (10) is matched with the arc concave structure in the middle of the rolling liner (9).
6. A clearance adjustment mechanism for a steering gear rack with a compact structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bearings (5) and the spring plate (7) are located in the spring chambers (11) of the briquetting base body (10).
7. A clearance adjustment mechanism for a steering gear rack with a compact structure according to claim 4 or 6, characterized in that: The spring chambers (11) of the briquetting base body (10) are in a stepped groove structure. The width of the upper part of the spring chamber (11) is greater than the width of the lower part of the spring chamber (11). The bearings (5) are located at the upper position of the spring chamber (11), and the spring plate (7) is located at the lower position of the spring chamber (11).
8. A clearance adjustment mechanism for a steering gear rack with a compact structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The briquetting base body (10) is located inside the housing (2), and the briquetting base body (10) and the housing (2) are in interference fit.