An impact-resistant recirculating ball steering gear structure
By installing a buffer support sleeve assembly between the outer ring of the bearing and the housing, the problem of fretting wear and loosening of the recirculating ball steering gear under impact load is solved, thereby improving the stability and precision of the steering gear.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HENAN MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL ENG COLLEGE
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-14
AI Technical Summary
When existing recirculating ball steering gears are subjected to long-term impact loads, fretting wear or loosening easily occurs between the outer ring of the screw support bearing and the housing bore, resulting in increased steering clearance and affecting transmission accuracy and response sensitivity.
A buffer support sleeve assembly is installed between the outer ring of the bearing and the housing, including an outer metal ring and an inner elastomer, combined with an elastic limiting lip to form a flexible support structure that absorbs impact energy and prevents the bearing from loosening.
It effectively prevents the outer ring of the bearing from loosening, improves the stability of the screw support and steering accuracy, extends service life, and enhances dynamic response performance and reliability.
Smart Images
Figure CN224491197U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of steering gear technology, specifically to an impact-resistant circulating ball steering gear structure. Background Technology
[0002] Recirculating ball steering systems are key components in automotive steering systems, widely used in various commercial vehicles and some passenger cars. Their working principle involves the recirculating steel balls between a screw and a nut transmitting motion, which drives the gear sector and rocker arm to achieve wheel steering. Due to their high transmission efficiency, long lifespan, and good reliability, they have long held an important position in mechanical steering and hydraulic power steering systems.
[0003] In actual use, existing recirculating ball steering systems experience significant reverse impact forces when the vehicle travels on bumpy roads or is subjected to external impacts. These forces are transmitted to the internal steering screw through the rocker arm and gear sector, causing instantaneous axial and radial displacement of the screw. The two ends of the screw are usually supported on the housing by rolling bearings, with the outer ring of the bearing directly installed in the housing bore with an interference fit, forming a rigid metal-to-metal connection. Under long-term repeated impact loads, this can easily lead to fretting wear on the mating surface between the outer ring of the bearing and the housing bore, and even loosening. This results in a decrease in the stiffness of the screw support, an increase in steering clearance, and affects the transmission accuracy and responsiveness of the steering system. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an impact-resistant recirculating ball steering gear structure to solve the problem mentioned in the background art that current recirculating ball steering gears are prone to fretting wear or loosening between the outer ring of the screw support bearing and the housing bore when subjected to long-term impact loads, resulting in increased steering clearance and decreased transmission accuracy.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: an impact-resistant recirculating ball steering gear structure, comprising a housing, wherein a steering screw is provided inside the housing, and both ends of the steering screw are supported by bearings on the inner walls of both sides of the housing. Annular mounting grooves are respectively provided on the inner walls of both ends of the housing, and buffer support sleeve assemblies are embedded within the annular mounting grooves. The buffer support sleeve assembly includes an outer metal ring and an inner elastic body. The outer metal ring is interference-fitted into the annular mounting groove, and the inner elastic body wraps around the outer ring of the bearing. Furthermore, the axial outer ends of the buffer support sleeve assembly are respectively provided with inwardly extending elastic limiting lips.
[0006] Preferably, the buffer support sleeve assembly is an integrated injection-molded structure, the inner circumference of the outer metal ring is provided with multiple annular grooves, and the inner elastomer is made of polyurethane material and is embedded in the annular grooves of the outer metal ring.
[0007] Preferably, the elastic limiting lip has a wedge-shaped cross-section, with its free end inclined toward the center of the bearing.
[0008] Preferably, the outer axial end of the bearing outer ring is provided with an annular stepped surface, and the elastic limiting lip cooperates with the annular stepped surface.
[0009] Preferably, the bottom of the annular mounting groove is provided with an annular air guide groove, the annular air guide groove is arranged circumferentially, and the annular air guide groove is located on the outer side of the axial center of the buffer support sleeve assembly.
[0010] Preferably, the inner wall of the inner elastic layer is provided with an annular guide groove, which extends axially and surrounds the inner wall of the inner elastic layer.
[0011] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This impact-resistant recirculating ball steering gear structure effectively absorbs impact energy by setting an elastic buffer structure between the bearing outer ring and the housing, preventing the bearing outer ring from loosening, improving the stability and steering accuracy of the screw support, and extending the service life of the steering gear. This impact-resistant recirculating ball steering gear structure achieves flexible bearing support by setting a buffer support sleeve assembly composed of an outer metal ring and an inner elastic body in the annular mounting groove of the housing. Combined with the pressing action of the elastic limiting lip on the bearing end face, it further enhances the axial limiting capability. This structure effectively suppresses fretting wear and loosening under impact loads, improving the dynamic response performance and long-term reliability of the steering system. Attached Figure Description
[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an impact-resistant circulating ball steering gear according to the present invention;
[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the buffer support sleeve assembly structure of an impact-resistant circulating ball steering gear according to the present invention;
[0014] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the steering screw and the outer shell of an impact-resistant circulating ball steering gear structure according to this utility model.
[0015] In the figure: 1. Outer shell; 11. Annular mounting groove; 12. Annular air guide groove; 2. Steering screw; 3. Bearing; 31. Annular stepped surface; 4. Buffer support sleeve assembly; 41. Outer metal ring; 42. Inner elastomer; 43. Elastic limiting lip; 44. Annular guide groove. Detailed Implementation
[0016] 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.
[0017] Please see Figure 1-3This utility model provides a technical solution: an impact-resistant recirculating ball steering gear structure, including a housing 1, a steering screw 2 inside the housing 1, and a nut assembly and a recirculating steel ball guide tube that cooperate with the steering screw 2, forming a recirculating ball transmission mechanism. Both ends of the steering screw 2 are supported by bearings 3 on the inner walls of both sides of the housing 1. Annular mounting grooves 11 are respectively provided on the inner walls of both ends of the housing 1. A buffer support sleeve assembly 4 is embedded in the annular mounting groove 11. The buffer support sleeve assembly 4 includes an outer metal ring 41 and an inner elastic body 42. The outer metal ring 41 is interference-fitted into the annular mounting groove 11, and the inner elastic body 42 wraps around the outer ring circumferentially of the bearing 3. The axial outer ends of the buffer support sleeve assembly 4 are respectively provided with... The inwardly extending elastic limiting lip 43 presses against the axial end face of the bearing 3, forming radial preload and axial limiting on the bearing 3. When the vehicle is in motion and a road impact or collision causes a reverse impact force in the steering system, which is transmitted to the steering screw 2, the steering screw 2 attempts to move axially and radially. The bearings 3 at both ends are then subjected to impact loads. At this time, because the outer ring of the bearing 3 is completely wrapped by the inner elastic body 42, and the outer side of the inner elastic body 42 is rigidly supported by the outer metal ring 41, the impact energy is first transmitted to the inner elastic body 42. Through its elastic deformation, it absorbs and buffers instantaneous stress, preventing the impact from being directly transmitted to the outer shell 1. Simultaneously, the elastic limiting lip 43 at the axial outer end of the buffer support sleeve assembly 4 always... Pressed against the axial end face of bearing 3, it generates a reverse elastic restoring force during impact, effectively suppressing the axial displacement of bearing 3. Together with the inner elastic body 42, it forms a radial preload force, preventing bearing 3 from loosening or fretting wear in the flexible support structure formed by the outer metal ring 41 and the inner elastic body 42. This multi-layer composite structure achieves linkage and cooperation through the stable connection between the outer metal ring 41 and the outer shell 1, the elastic wrapping of the inner elastic body 42, and the axial pressing of the elastic limiting lip 43. This significantly improves the support stability of bearing 3 under dynamic impact, thereby effectively preventing the problem of increased steering clearance caused by loosening of the outer ring of bearing 3 and the shell. It solves the problem of steering fuzziness and return-to-center that easily occurs in the recirculating ball steering gear under long-term impact conditions in the prior art. To address technical challenges such as malfunctions and abnormal noises that affect control precision and safety, the buffer support sleeve assembly 4 is an integrated injection-molded structure. The inner circumference of the outer metal ring 41 has multiple annular grooves, and the inner elastomer 42, made of polyurethane, is embedded within these grooves. This integrated injection molding process firmly bonds the inner elastomer 42 to the outer metal ring 41, utilizing the annular grooves for mechanical interlocking. This effectively prevents relative slippage under impact loads, improving the overall structural stability and durability of the buffer support sleeve assembly 4. The elastic limiting lip 43 has a wedge-shaped cross-section, with its free end inclined towards the center of the bearing 3. The axial outer end of the outer ring of the bearing 3 has an annular stepped surface 31, and the elastic limiting lip 43 mates with the annular stepped surface 31.This structure, through the close fit between the wedge-shaped elastic limiting lip 43 and the annular stepped surface 31 of the outer ring of the bearing 3, generates progressive elastic deformation during assembly, forming a stable axial preload. This effectively suppresses the axial movement of the bearing 3 under impact, while preventing excessive compression failure of the limiting lip, ensuring the reliability of axial limiting during long-term use. The bottom of the annular mounting groove 11 is provided with an annular air guide groove 12, which is circumferentially continuous and located on the outer side of the axial center of the buffer support sleeve assembly 4. This structure provides a release channel for trapped air during press-fitting of the buffer support sleeve assembly 4, preventing air leakage during assembly. To prevent component deformation or improper installation due to pressure, and to ensure the uniformity and reliability of the interference fit between the outer metal ring 41 and the annular mounting groove 11, the inner wall of the inner elastomer 42 is provided with an annular guide groove 44. The annular guide groove 44 extends axially and surrounds the inner wall of the inner elastomer 42. During the pressing process of the bearing 3, this structure provides a flow channel for air between the inner elastomer 42 and the outer ring of the bearing 3 through the annular guide groove 44, effectively reducing assembly pressure, preventing localized damage or stress concentration of the inner elastomer 42 due to air resistance, ensuring a smooth and stable pressing process, and guaranteeing a uniform and complete fit between the inner elastomer 42 and the outer ring of the bearing 3.
[0018] Working principle: When using this impact-resistant recirculating ball steering gear structure, firstly, the outer metal ring 41 of the buffer support sleeve assembly 4 is pressed into the annular mounting grooves 11 at both ends of the outer shell 1. During the pressing process, the annular air guide groove 12 releases the trapped air, ensuring that the outer metal ring 41 is installed in place and forms a stable interference fit. Then, the bearing 3, wrapped by the inner elastic body 42, is pressed axially into the inner hole of the buffer support sleeve assembly 4. During the pressing process, the annular guide groove 44 guides the air between the inner elastic body 42 and the outer ring of the bearing 3 to be discharged, allowing the bearing 3 to smoothly enter the bearing. When the bearing 3 is positioned, the elastic limiting lip 43 contacts the annular stepped surface 31 of the outer ring of the bearing 3 and undergoes elastic deformation, thus completing the axial positioning of the bearing 3. After the steering screw 2 is installed on the inner ring of the bearing 3, the entire support structure is assembled. During vehicle operation, when the steering system is subjected to external impact, the steering screw 2 transmits the impact force to the inner elastic body 42 through the bearing 3. The inner elastic body 42 undergoes elastic deformation, while the elastic limiting lip 43 is compressed axially. The outer metal ring 41 maintains the overall structural stability, thereby completing a series of tasks.
[0019] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. An impact-resistant recirculating ball steering gear structure, comprising a housing (1), wherein a steering screw (2) is provided inside the housing (1), and both ends of the steering screw (2) are supported by bearings (3) on the inner walls of both sides of the housing (1), characterized in that: The inner walls at both ends of the outer shell (1) are respectively provided with annular mounting grooves (11). The annular mounting grooves (11) are embedded with buffer support sleeve assemblies (4). The buffer support sleeve assembly (4) includes an outer metal ring (41) and an inner elastic body (42). The outer metal ring (41) is interference-fitted into the annular mounting groove (11). The inner elastic body (42) wraps around the outer ring of the bearing (3) in the circumferential direction. The outer axial end of the buffer support sleeve assembly (4) is respectively provided with an inwardly extending elastic limiting lip (43).
2. The impact-resistant circulating ball steering gear structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The buffer support sleeve assembly (4) is an integrated injection molded structure. The inner circumference of the outer metal ring (41) is provided with multiple annular grooves. The inner elastomer (42) is made of polyurethane material and is embedded in the annular grooves of the outer metal ring (41).
3. The impact-resistant circulating ball steering gear structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic limiting lip (43) has a wedge-shaped cross section, and its free end is inclined towards the center of the bearing (3).
4. The impact-resistant recirculating ball steering gear structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer end of the outer ring of the bearing (3) is provided with an annular step surface (31), and the elastic limiting lip (43) cooperates with the annular step surface (31).
5. The impact-resistant circulating ball steering gear structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the annular mounting groove (11) is provided with an annular air guide groove (12), which is circumferentially connected and located on the outer side of the axial center of the buffer support sleeve assembly (4).
6. The impact-resistant recirculating ball steering gear structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the inner elastomer (42) is provided with an annular guide groove (44), which extends axially and surrounds the inner wall of the inner elastomer (42).