Steering gear and pressing block for steering gear

Abstract

The utility model discloses a steering gear and a pressing block for the steering gear, the steering gear comprises a body, the body is provided with a first abutting end used for abutting against a rack and a second abutting end used for abutting against a pressing block plug, an air hole is arranged in the body, and the air hole penetrates through the first abutting end and the second abutting end. A pressing block, a pressing block plug and a spring between the pressing block and the pressing block plug in the steering gear are used for adjusting a gap between a gear shaft and a rack, an air hole is formed in the pressing block, when the air tightness in the steering gear is detected, air in a whole sealing cavity is pumped to a negative pressure state through the air hole, and pressure changes in all processes are detected through equipment; therefore, air leakage in the steering gear shell can be judged, and additional punching on the shell can be avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of automobile steering, in particular to a steering gear and a pressure block for the steering gear. Background Art

[0002] Rack Electric Power Steering (REPS) in automobiles uses electric power to assist the driver in steering operations. Compared to traditional hydraulic power systems, this system offers several advantages, including reduced engine load, improved fuel economy, improved road feel, extended service life, and requires less space. This mechanism changes the position of the screw rotation limit, enhancing the torsion limit strength and increasing the safety factor. As a key automotive component, air tightness testing of the REPS steering gear is also an essential and important test. Air tightness testing primarily refers to the testing of the sealing performance of automotive parts to ensure that there will be no gas leakage or infiltration, which would affect the performance and reliability of the vehicle. The quality of air tightness is directly related to the overall performance and safety of the vehicle.

[0003] Currently, we primarily use a negative pressure airtightness test method to inspect REPS steering gears before they leave the factory. Conventional practice involves pre-drilling an air vent in the steering gear housing, placing the test piece on the testing instrument's fixture, and opening the air vent plug. The instrument then evacuates the sealed cavity of the tested product to the target negative pressure (the steering gear gear seal should withstand a pressure (vacuum) of -(50±5) kPa). Pressure changes at each stage of the evacuation process are then monitored to determine if the product is leaking. However, the steering gear housing is easily deformed by the tool during the drilling process, affecting its overall aesthetics. Utility Model Content

[0004] In response to the above technical problems, the utility model proposes a steering gear and a pressure block for the steering gear. The pressure block is provided with air holes. When it is necessary to detect the internal air tightness of the steering gear, the air in the entire sealed cavity is evacuated to a negative pressure state through the air holes, avoiding additional holes in the shell.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: A pressure block for a steering gear includes a main body, the main body has a first abutting end for abutting against a rack and a second abutting end for abutting against a pressure block plug, and an air hole is provided inside the main body, and the air hole passes through the first abutting end and the second abutting end.

[0006] Optionally, the first abutting end includes an arc segment and straight segments located on both sides of the arc segment, the second abutting end is provided with a first groove for accommodating a spring, the air inlet of the air hole is provided in the straight segment, the air outlet of the air hole is provided at the bottom of the first groove, and the air inlet and air outlet of the air hole are both deviated from the axial direction of the main body.

[0007] The utility model also discloses a steering gear, comprising a gear shaft, a rack, a pressure block plug, a spring and the pressure block for the steering gear described above, one side of the rack is engaged with the gear shaft, the other side of the rack abuts against the first abutting end, one end of the spring abuts against the second abutting end, and the other end of the spring abuts against the pressure block plug.

[0008] Optionally, the second abutting end is provided with a first groove, and the pressure block plug is provided with a second groove, and the first groove and the second groove are correspondingly arranged to form a cavity for accommodating the spring.

[0009] Optionally, the pressing block plug is provided with a through hole communicating with the second groove, and a sealing plug is installed in the through hole.

[0010] Optionally, the diameter of the through hole is smaller than the diameter of the second groove.

[0011] Optionally, it further includes a shell, the shell is provided with a first channel and a second channel connected to the first channel, the body and the pressure block plug are installed in the first channel, and the gear shaft is installed in the second channel.

[0012] Optionally, the body is slidably engaged with the first channel, and the pressure block plug is threadedly engaged with the inner peripheral wall of the first channel.

[0013] Optionally, an O-ring is provided between the outer peripheral wall of the main body and the inner peripheral wall of the first channel, and the outer peripheral wall of the main body is provided with an annular groove that cooperates with the O-ring.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the pressure block, pressure block plug, and spring between the pressure block and the pressure block plug in the steering gear are used to adjust the gap between the gear shaft and the rack. An air hole is provided on the pressure block. When detecting the air tightness inside the steering gear, the entire sealed cavity is evacuated to a negative pressure state through the air hole. The pressure changes in each process are detected by the equipment to determine whether there is an air leak inside the steering gear housing, thereby avoiding the need for additional holes in the housing. The arc section of the first abutting end abuts against the rack, and the straight section of the first abutting end is located between the rack and the housing. The air inlet of the air hole is provided in the straight section, thereby avoiding the air inlet of the air hole being blocked. At the same time, it also avoids the air hole from affecting the adjustment of the gap between the gear shaft and the rack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a pressure block for a steering gear proposed in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the steering gear proposed in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0017] The marks in the drawings are: 1. Main body; 11. First abutment end; 111. Arc segment; 112. Straight segment; 12. Second abutment end; 121. First groove; 13. Air hole; 14. Ring groove; 2. Gear shaft; 3. Rack; 4. Pressure block plug; 41. Second groove; 42. Through hole; 5. Spring; 6. Housing; 7. O-ring; 8. Nut. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment discloses a pressure block for a steering gear, comprising a main body 1 having a first abutting end 11 for abutting against the rack 3 and a second abutting end 12 for abutting against the pressure block plug 4. An air hole 13 is provided inside the main body 1, and the air hole 13 passes through the first abutting end 11 and the second abutting end 12. The pressure block, the pressure block plug 4, and the spring 5 between the pressure block and the pressure block plug 4 in the steering gear are used to adjust the gap between the gear shaft 2 and the rack 3. The air hole 13 is provided on the pressure block. When testing the air tightness inside the steering gear, the air in the entire sealed cavity is evacuated to a negative pressure state through the air hole 13. The pressure changes in each process are detected by the equipment to determine whether there is air leakage inside the steering gear housing 6, thereby avoiding the need for additional holes in the housing 6.

[0020] like Figure 1 As shown, the first abutting end 11 includes an arcuate segment 111 and straight segments 112 located on both sides of the arcuate segment 111. The second abutting end 12 is provided with a first groove 121 for accommodating the spring 5. The air inlet of the air hole 13 is located in the straight segment 112, and the air outlet of the air hole 13 is located at the bottom of the first groove 121. Both the air inlet and the air outlet are offset from the axial direction of the pressure block body. The arcuate segment 111 of the first abutting end 11 abuts against the rack 3. The straight segment 112 of the first abutting end 11 is located between the rack 3 and the housing 6. The air inlet of the air hole 13 is located in the straight segment 112, preventing the air inlet of the air hole 13 from being blocked. At the same time, the air hole 13 is prevented from affecting the clearance adjustment between the gear shaft 2 and the rack 3.

[0021] like Figure 2As shown, the utility model also provides a steering gear, including a gear shaft 2, a rack 3, a pressure block plug 4, a spring 5 and a pressure block for the steering gear, one side of the rack 3 is meshed with the gear shaft 2, and the other side of the rack 3 is in contact with the first abutting end 11, one end of the spring 5 is in contact with the second abutting end 12, and the other end of the spring 5 is in contact with the pressure block plug 4. The second abutting end 12 is provided with a first groove 121, and the pressure block plug 4 is provided with a second groove 41. The first groove 121 and the second groove 41 are correspondingly arranged to form a cavity for accommodating the spring 5. The pressure block plug 4 is provided with a through hole 42 connected to the second groove 41, and a sealing plug is installed in the through hole 42. When air tightness testing is required, the sealing plug is opened and the interior of the steering gear housing 6 is evacuated through the air hole 13. The diameter of the through hole 42 is smaller than the diameter of the second groove 41.

[0022] like Figure 2 As shown, it also includes a shell 6, which is provided with a first channel and a second channel connected to the first channel. The main body 1 and the pressure block plug 4 are installed in the first channel, and the gear shaft 2 is installed in the second channel. The main body 1 is slidably matched with the first channel, and the pressure block plug 4 is matched with the inner wall of the first channel through a thread. The first channel is provided with an internal thread, and the pressure block plug 4 is provided with an external thread that matches the internal thread. A nut 8 is also provided on the top of the pressure block plug 4, and the nut 8 plays the role of pressing the pressure block plug 4. The pressure block plug 4 is tightly connected to the shell 6, and the main body 1 is pressed by adjusting the spring 5 to adjust the meshing clearance between the gear shaft 2 and the rack 3. An O-ring 7 is provided between the outer wall of the main body 1 and the inner wall of the first channel, and an annular groove 14 is provided on the outer wall of the main body 1 to match the O-ring 7. The number of O-rings can be multiple to avoid abnormal noise caused by metal collision between the two.

[0023] It is understandable that the specific embodiments described above are only used to explain the relevant utility model, rather than to limit the utility model. It should also be noted that, for the convenience of description, only the parts related to the utility model are shown in the accompanying drawings. Multiple technical solutions in the same embodiment, as well as multiple technical solutions in different embodiments, can be arranged and combined to form new technical solutions that do not have contradictions or conflicts. Any equivalent structural transformation made using the contents of the description and drawings of this utility model, directly or indirectly used in other related technical fields, are also included in the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A pressure block for a steering gear, characterized in that: The utility model comprises a body having a first abutting end for abutting against a rack and a second abutting end for abutting against a pressure block plug; an air hole is provided inside the body, and the air hole passes through the first abutting end and the second abutting end.

2. The pressure block for a steering gear according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first abutting end includes an arc segment and straight segments located on both sides of the arc segment, the second abutting end is provided with a first groove for accommodating a spring, the air inlet of the air hole is provided in the straight segment, and the air outlet of the air hole is provided at the bottom of the first groove, and the air inlet and air outlet of the air hole are both deviated from the axial direction of the main body.

3. A steering gear, characterized in that: It includes a gear shaft, a rack, a pressure block plug, a spring and the pressure block for the steering gear according to claim 1 or 2, one side of the rack is engaged with the gear shaft, the other side of the rack abuts against the first abutting end, one end of the spring abuts against the second abutting end, and the other end of the spring abuts against the pressure block plug.

4. The steering gear according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second abutting end is provided with a first groove, and the pressure block plug is provided with a second groove. The first groove and the second groove are correspondingly arranged to form a cavity for accommodating the spring.

5. The steering gear according to claim 4, characterized in that: The pressing block plug is provided with a through hole communicating with the second groove, and a sealing plug is installed in the through hole.

6. The steering gear according to claim 5, characterized in that: A diameter of the through hole is smaller than a diameter of the second groove.

7. The steering gear according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a shell, the shell is provided with a first channel and a second channel connected to the first channel, the body and the pressure block plug are installed in the first channel, and the gear shaft is installed in the second channel.

8. The steering gear according to claim 7, characterized in that: The body is in sliding engagement with the first channel, and the pressing block plug is in threaded engagement with the inner peripheral wall of the first channel.

9. The steering gear according to claim 7, characterized in that: An O-ring is provided between the outer peripheral wall of the main body and the inner peripheral wall of the first channel, and an annular groove matching the O-ring is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the main body.

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