A ball gear structure for a steering gear

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of spherical gear structures for steering gear, including side shell and upper and lower double body structure, bowl groove is opened in the side shell, gear is rotatably installed in the side shell, spherical body is installed outside the gear;The upper side shape detail of the upper and lower double body structure is straight section, and the shape is the ball bowl after riveting pressure into bowl groove, the spherical body is in the ball bowl.The utility model is optimized and analyzed to the transmission path of steering gear gear shaft, removes its unnecessary structure, simplifies its structure under the condition of guaranteeing rotary motion function, to reach the purpose of reducing material usage, improve processing easiness, improve sealing, improve after-sales maintainability, to reach the purpose of reducing production and operating cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of spherical gear structures for steering gears, specifically a spherical gear structure for steering gears. Background Technology

[0002] A car steering system is a series of devices used to change or maintain the direction of a car's movement, whether forward or backward. The function of the car steering system is to control the car's direction according to the driver's intentions. Modern mechanical and electronic steering systems typically use gears and bearings as components to convert the rotational motion from the steering wheel into the linear motion of the rack.

[0003] However, in the current spherical gear structure of steering systems, ball bearings are used as mating components. In recent years, with the industry's rising cost awareness and the problem of operating costs rising sharply, there is an urgent need to find a solution to replace ball bearings. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a spherical gear structure for steering gears, which solves the problem that in current spherical gear structures for steering gears, ball bearings are used as mating components, and operating costs have risen sharply in recent years as industry cost awareness has increased.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a spherical gear structure for a steering gear, comprising a side housing and an upper and lower double-body structure, wherein a cup groove is provided in the side housing, a gear is rotatably mounted in the side housing, and a ball is mounted outside the gear;

[0006] The upper part of the double-body structure is a straight section, and after being riveted into the bowl groove, it takes the shape of a spherical bowl, with the sphere placed inside the spherical bowl.

[0007] Preferably, the sphere is mounted on the gear via a connecting structure, and the number of the connecting structures is not less than four, and the connecting structures are distributed in a ring at equal intervals between the sphere and the gear;

[0008] The connection structure includes a limiting groove and a limiting block;

[0009] The limiting groove is formed on the sphere, the limiting block is welded to the gear, the sphere is fitted onto the gear, and the limiting block is engaged in the limiting groove.

[0010] Preferably, a snap-fit ​​structure is installed between the limiting groove and the limiting block, and the number of snap-fit ​​structures corresponds one-to-one with the number of limiting blocks;

[0011] The snap-fit ​​structure includes a groove, a spring, a ball, and an arc-shaped groove;

[0012] The groove is formed on the limiting block, one end of the spring is fixedly connected to the groove, the ball is fixedly connected to the other end of the spring, the arc-shaped groove is formed on the limiting groove, and the ball is engaged in the arc-shaped groove.

[0013] Preferably, a limiting structure is installed on the gear, the limiting structure including a limiting plate and a circular hole;

[0014] The circular hole is formed on the limiting plate, the gear is fixed in the circular hole, and the bottom of the sphere is pressed against the top of the limiting plate.

[0015] Preferably, the ball bowl is made of plastic.

[0016] Preferably, the side housing is connected to the main housing, and a rack is rotatably mounted inside the main housing, with the gear meshing with the rack.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: the steering gear uses a spherical gear structure, which has the following advantages over traditional technology:

[0018] This invention optimizes the transmission path of the steering gear shaft, removes unnecessary structures, and simplifies its structure while ensuring the rotational motion function. This reduces material usage, improves processing ease, enhances sealing, and improves after-sales maintainability, thereby reducing production and operating costs. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the middle side shell, cup groove, and gear;

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the gear and the sphere;

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the gear, rack, and sphere;

[0023] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the groove, spring, and sphere;

[0024] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the upper and lower double-body structure;

[0025] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the central bowl.

[0026] In the diagram: 1. Main shell; 2. Side shell; 3. Bowl groove; 4. Gear; 5. Rack; 6. Sphere; 7. Upper and lower double-body structure; 8. Ball bowl; 9. Connecting structure; 10. Limiting groove; 11. Limiting block; 12. Snap-fit ​​structure; 13. Groove; 14. Spring; 15. Sphere; 16. Arc groove; 17. Limiting structure; 18. Limiting plate; 19. Circular hole. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0028] Those skilled in the art can connect the components in this case sequentially. The specific connection and operation sequence should refer to the working principle described below. The detailed connection methods are well-known technologies in the field. The working principle and process are mainly described below.

[0029] In current steering systems, ball bearings are used as mating components in spherical gear structures. However, in recent years, with the industry's growing cost awareness, operating costs have been rising sharply.

[0030] In view of this, the present invention provides a spherical gear structure for steering gears. The present invention optimizes the transmission path of the steering gear shaft, removes unnecessary structures, and simplifies the structure while ensuring the rotational motion function, thereby reducing material usage, improving processing ease, improving sealing performance, and enhancing after-sales maintainability, thereby reducing production and operating costs.

[0031] Please see Figure 1-7 The present invention provides a technical solution: a spherical gear structure for a steering gear, comprising a side housing 2 and an upper and lower double-body structure 7, wherein a bowl groove 3 is provided in the side housing 2, a gear 4 is rotatably installed in the side housing 2, and a ball 6 is installed outside the gear 4;

[0032] The upper part of the double-body structure 7 is a straight section, and after being riveted into the bowl groove 3, it is shaped like a ball bowl 8. The ball 6 is placed in the ball bowl 8. The area where the shaft of the gear 4 originally mates with the ball bearing is machined with a ball 6. The ball bearing and bearing retainer are no longer used. A plastic ball bowl 8 is selected to fill the gap between the gear 4 and the side housing 2, that is, the bowl groove 3 position, so that the gear 4 can rotate when fixed. At the same time, the use of the upper end clamping plug is eliminated and replaced with housing riveting. The plastic ball bowl 8 is sealed inside the space of the side housing 2, and the dustproof oil seal is omitted.

[0033] The sphere 6 is mounted on the gear 4 via a connecting structure 9. There are no fewer than four connecting structures 9, which are distributed in a ring at equal intervals between the sphere 6 and the gear 4.

[0034] The connecting structure 9 includes a limiting groove 10 and a limiting block 11;

[0035] The limiting groove 10 is formed on the ball 6, the limiting block 11 is welded on the gear 4, the ball 6 is fitted on the gear 4, the ball 6 and the gear 4 are separate, the ball 6 and the gear 4 are in close contact, the limiting block 11 is snapped into the limiting groove 10, and a snap-fit ​​structure 12 is installed between the limiting groove 10 and the limiting block 11, the number of snap-fit ​​structures 12 and the number of limiting blocks 11 correspond one-to-one;

[0036] The snap-fit ​​structure 12 includes a groove 13, a spring 14, a ball 15, and an arc-shaped groove 16;

[0037] The groove 13 is formed on the limiting block 11, one end of the spring 14 is fixedly connected to the groove 13, the ball 15 is fixedly connected to the other end of the spring 14, the arc groove 16 is formed on the limiting groove 10, the ball 15 is engaged in the arc groove 16, and the gear 4 is equipped with a limiting structure 17, which includes a limiting plate 18 and a round hole 19.

[0038] A circular hole 19 is formed on the limiting plate 18. The gear 4 is fixed in the circular hole 19. The bottom of the ball 6 is pressed against the top of the limiting plate 18. The ball 6 is sleeved on the shaft of the gear 4, so that the limiting groove 10 is engaged with the limiting block 11 to prevent the ball 6 from rotating on the shaft of the gear 4. The spring 14 in the groove 13 carries the ball 15 and engages it in the arc groove 16. At the same time, the ball 6 is pressed against the limiting plate 18, so that the ball 6 is installed on the gear 4 and it is convenient to disassemble and assemble the ball 6 and the gear 4. The gear 4 can be fixed to the limiting plate 18 by welding or integrally formed with the limiting plate 18. The appropriate fixing method can be selected according to the actual working conditions.

[0039] The 8-ball bowl is made of plastic.

[0040] The main housing 1 is connected to the side housing 2. A rack 5 is rotatably installed inside the main housing 1. The gear 4 is meshed with the rack 5.

[0041] This invention, based on first-principles calculations, proposes for the first time a ball-and-socket joint (ball cup 8) to replace the current bearing joint method. In this invention, a ball 6 with a surface roughness Ra0.4max is installed in the original bearing position of gear 4. The outer gap is filled with a ball cup 8 made of POM plastic. This provides high rigidity, low friction, and high wear resistance, achieving a lifetime of maintenance-free operation for the ball cup 8. Simultaneously, the lower side of the ball cup 8 mates with the stepped side housing 2, and the upper side is riveted and locked to the housing, constraining the movement of the gear 4 shaft to only rotation.

[0042] At the same time, components such as ball bearings, bearing retaining rings, upper screw plugs, and dust seals can be omitted from the existing structure. Furthermore, with the elimination of ball bearings, the dimensions of side housing 2 can be made more compact, achieving the goals of weight reduction and energy conservation.

[0043] When using the ball gear structure for this steering gear, firstly, the ball 6 is fitted onto the shaft of the gear 4, so that the limiting groove 10 is engaged with the limiting block 11 to prevent the ball 6 from rotating on the shaft of the gear 4. Meanwhile, the spring 14 in the groove 13, along with the ball 15, is engaged into the arc groove 16. At the same time, the ball 6 rests on the limiting plate 18, allowing the ball 6 to be installed on the gear 4 and facilitating the disassembly and assembly between the ball 6 and the gear 4. Then, the area where the shaft of the gear 4 originally mates with the ball bearing, i.e., the ball 6, no longer uses the ball bearing and bearing retainer. Instead, a plastic ball cup 8 is selected to fill the gap between the gear 4 and the side housing 2, i.e., the cup groove 3 position, so that the gear 4 can rotate while fixed. At the same time, the use of the upper clamping plug is eliminated and replaced with housing riveting, sealing the plastic ball cup 8 inside the space of the side housing 2, and the dustproof oil seal is omitted.

[0044] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A spherical gear structure for a steering gear, comprising a side housing (2) and an upper and lower double-body structure (7), characterized in that: A bowl groove (3) is provided inside the side shell (2), a gear (4) is rotatably installed inside the side shell (2), and a ball (6) is installed outside the gear (4). The upper part of the double-body structure (7) is a straight section, and after being riveted into the bowl groove (3), it is shaped like a spherical bowl (8), and the sphere (6) is placed inside the spherical bowl (8).

2. The spherical gear structure for a steering gear according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sphere (6) is mounted on the gear (4) through a connecting structure (9). The number of the connecting structures (9) is not less than four, and the connecting structures (9) are distributed in a ring at equal intervals between the sphere (6) and the gear (4). The connection structure (9) includes a limiting groove (10) and a limiting block (11); The limiting groove (10) is opened on the sphere (6), the limiting block (11) is welded on the gear (4), the sphere (6) is fitted on the gear (4), and the limiting block (11) is snapped into the limiting groove (10).

3. A spherical gear structure for a steering gear according to claim 2, characterized in that: A snap-fit ​​structure (12) is installed between the limiting groove (10) and the limiting block (11), and the number of the snap-fit ​​structure (12) corresponds one-to-one with the number of the limiting block (11); The snap-fit ​​structure (12) includes a groove (13), a spring (14), a ball (15), and an arc groove (16). The groove (13) is formed on the limiting block (11), one end of the spring (14) is fixedly connected in the groove (13), the ball (15) is fixedly connected to the other end of the spring (14), the arc groove (16) is formed on the limiting groove (10), and the ball (15) is engaged in the arc groove (16).

4. A spherical gear structure for a steering gear according to claim 1, characterized in that: A limiting structure (17) is installed on the gear (4), the limiting structure (17) including a limiting plate (18) and a circular hole (19). The circular hole (19) is opened on the limiting plate (18), the gear (4) is fixed in the circular hole (19), and the bottom of the ball (6) is pressed against the top of the limiting plate (18).

5. A spherical gear structure for a steering gear according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ball bowl (8) is made of plastic.

6. A spherical gear structure for a steering gear according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side housing (2) is connected to the main housing (1), and a rack (5) is rotatably installed inside the main housing (1). The gear (4) meshes with the rack (5).

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