An oil leakage-proof sealing structure of an automobile steering gear

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of anti-leakage oil sealing structures of automobile steering gear, including steering gear housing and end cap, annular step groove is equipped in the inside of end cap, the inside of annular step groove is sequentially provided with elastic bellows ring, metal sealing ring and limit pressure ring from outside to inside, the outer end surface of elastic bellows ring is in abutment with end cap, the inner end surface of elastic bellows ring is in abutment with metal sealing ring, limit pressure ring is set in the inside of metal sealing ring and is in abutment with the sealing end surface of steering gear housing, end cap is connected with steering gear housing by bolt. The anti-leakage oil sealing structure of the automobile steering gear improves the stability and long-term reliability of sealing, effectively prevents the oil leakage problem caused by compression permanent deformation and stress uneven, prolongs the service life of sealing element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive parts technology, specifically to an oil-leakage-proof sealing structure for automotive steering systems. Background Technology

[0002] The automotive steering gear is a core component of the vehicle's steering system, typically filled with hydraulic fluid to provide power assist. During operation, the steering gear must withstand various complex conditions, such as vibration, temperature changes, and pressure fluctuations. Therefore, ensuring the airtightness of all connections within the housing is crucial. A good sealing structure not only guarantees the normal operation of the steering system but also extends the lifespan of components and prevents environmental pollution.

[0003] To address the steering gear sealing issue, existing technologies have proposed various improvement solutions. For example, Chinese utility model patent CN212148997U discloses a "steering gear input shaft sealing structure." This solution, by setting a flange, annular groove, sealing gasket, keyway, and O-ring on the input shaft connecting sleeve, achieves water ingress prevention, warping prevention, and rotation prevention functions for the input shaft, improving the sealing reliability of this area. However, this solution mainly targets the dynamic seal between the input shaft and the housing. For the static sealing connection between the steering gear main housing and the end cover, flat gaskets or O-ring seals are still commonly used. During long-term operation, these structures are prone to a decrease in the preload of the sealing surface due to material aging, compression set, and uneven assembly stress, leading to oil leakage and failing to meet the requirements for high-durability sealing. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to provide an oil-leakage-proof sealing structure for automotive steering gears, so as to solve the problem that the static sealing structure between the steering gear housing and the end cover mentioned in the background art is prone to sealing failure and oil leakage during long-term operation due to material aging, permanent compression deformation and uneven assembly stress.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: an oil leakage prevention sealing structure for an automotive steering gear, comprising a steering gear housing and an end cap. The end cap has an annular stepped groove on its inner side. Inside the annular stepped groove, from the outside to the inside, are arranged an elastic corrugated ring, a metal sealing ring, and a limiting pressure ring. The outer end face of the elastic corrugated ring abuts against the end cap, and the inner end face of the elastic corrugated ring abuts against the metal sealing ring. The limiting pressure ring is sleeved inside the metal sealing ring and abuts against the sealing end face of the steering gear housing. The end cap is connected to the steering gear housing by bolts.

[0006] Preferably, the elastic corrugated ring is an annular elastomer composed of multiple continuous V-shaped corrugations, made of oil-resistant rubber, and filled with microporous energy-absorbing material within the corrugations.

[0007] Preferably, the metal sealing ring is made of stainless steel and has a positioning boss on its outer periphery, which is embedded in the stepped surface of the annular stepped groove.

[0008] Preferably, the inner edge of the metal sealing ring extends inward to form a tapered lip, which fits against the sealing slope of the steering gear housing.

[0009] Preferably, the outer diameter of the limiting pressure ring is smaller than the inner diameter of the metal sealing ring, and the inner ring of the limiting pressure ring is provided with an annular protrusion, which is embedded in the annular groove on the end face of the steering gear housing.

[0010] Preferably, the bolts are evenly distributed around the end cover, and there are six bolts in total. A centering ring is provided between the end cover and the connecting end face of the steering gear housing.

[0011] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: the oil leakage prevention sealing structure of the automotive steering gear improves the stability and long-term reliability of the seal, effectively preventing oil leakage caused by permanent compression deformation and uneven stress, and extending the service life of the seal. This structure continuously provides sealing preload through the elastic compensation design of the elastic bellows ring; the cooperation between the metal sealing ring and the annular stepped groove enhances structural stability; the contact between the limiting pressure ring and the end face of the steering gear housing strengthens the inner seal; and the setting of the central ring ensures assembly accuracy. The overall structure works synergistically to significantly improve the durability of the static sealing connection. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the anti-leakage sealing structure of an automobile steering gear according to the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 This is a side view of the connection between the metal sealing ring and the limiting pressure ring in the oil leakage prevention sealing structure of an automobile steering gear according to the present invention.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the end cap of an oil-leakage-proof sealing structure for an automotive steering gear according to the present invention.

[0015] In the diagram: 1. Steering gear housing; 2. End cap; 3. Annular stepped groove; 4. Elastic bellows ring; 5. Metal sealing ring; 51. Positioning boss; 52. Conical lip; 6. Limiting pressure ring; 61. Annular protrusion; 7. Bolt; 8. Centering ring. 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 oil leakage prevention sealing structure for an automotive steering gear, comprising a steering gear housing 1 and an end cap 2. The end cap 2 has an annular stepped groove 3 on its inner side. Inside the annular stepped groove 3, from the outside in, are sequentially arranged an elastic corrugated ring 4, a metal sealing ring 5, and a limiting pressure ring 6. The outer end face of the elastic corrugated ring 4 abuts against the end cap 2, and the inner end face of the elastic corrugated ring 4 abuts against the metal sealing ring 5. The limiting pressure ring 6 is sleeved inside the metal sealing ring 5 and abuts against the sealing end face of the steering gear housing 1. The end cap 2 and the steering gear housing 1 are connected by bolts 7. In this structure, when the end cap 2 is fastened to the steering gear housing 1 by bolts 7, the end cap 2 applies axial pressure to the elastic corrugated ring 4, causing the elastic corrugated ring 4 to undergo elastic compression and generate continuous rebound. The rebound force is transmitted to the metal sealing ring 5, which stably positions the metal sealing ring 5 within the annular stepped groove 3. Simultaneously, the metal sealing ring 5 transmits pressure to the limiting pressure ring 6, causing the limiting pressure ring 6 to tightly abut against the sealing end face of the steering gear housing 1, forming a multi-layered, collaborative sealing pressure transmission chain. This structure effectively alleviates stress attenuation during long-term operation through the dynamic compensation capability of the elastic bellows ring 4, significantly improving the stability and durability of the sealing interface. This solves the oil leakage problem at the connection between the steering gear housing and the end cover caused by uneven preload and permanent material deformation in existing technologies. The elastic bellows ring 4 is an annular elastomer composed of multiple continuous V-shaped corrugations, made of oil-resistant rubber, with microporous energy-absorbing material filled within the corrugations. This structure allows the end cover 2 to be connected via bolts... 7. When the elastic bellows ring 4 is compressed, its V-shaped bellows structure undergoes elastic compression, generating a continuous rebound force, effectively compensating for stress attenuation during long-term operation. The microporous energy-absorbing material filled within the bellows absorbs vibration impact and reduces material fatigue. Combined with oil-resistant rubber material, this significantly improves the elastic bellows ring 4's resistance to permanent deformation in oily environments, ensuring a long-lasting and stable sealing preload. The metal sealing ring 5 is made of stainless steel and has a positioning boss 51 on its outer circumference. The positioning boss 51 is embedded in the stepped surface of the annular stepped groove 3. This structure of the metal sealing ring 5 relies on the stainless steel material to ensure structural strength and corrosion resistance. The positioning boss 51 is embedded in the stepped surface of the annular stepped groove 3 of the end cap 2, effectively preventing circumferential rotation of the metal sealing ring 5 during assembly and operation. The metal sealing ring 5 has an inner edge that extends inward to form a tapered lip 52. The tapered lip 52 fits against the sealing slope of the steering gear housing 1. Under the pressure of the end cap 2, the tapered lip 52 fits tightly against the sealing slope of the steering gear housing 1, forming a line contact seal. This significantly improves the sealing pressure per unit area, enhances the adaptability to minor machining errors and assembly deviations, effectively blocks the radial leakage path of oil, and improves the tightness and reliability of the sealing interface. The outer diameter of the limiting pressure ring 6 is smaller than the inner diameter of the metal sealing ring 5, and the inner ring of the limiting pressure ring 6 has an annular protrusion 61. The annular protrusion 61 is embedded in the annular groove on the end face of the steering gear housing 1.The limiting pressure ring 6 is fitted inside the metal sealing ring 5, with its outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the metal sealing ring 5 to form a fitting clearance, facilitating assembly alignment. The annular protrusion 61 is embedded in the annular groove on the end face of the steering gear housing 1, forming a double axial and radial limit, effectively preventing displacement of the sealing assembly under vibration or pressure fluctuations. Six bolts 7 are evenly distributed around the end cover 2, and an alignment ring 8 is provided between the connecting end faces of the end cover 2 and the steering gear housing 1. This structure ensures that the clamping force is symmetrically and evenly transmitted to the sealing structure, avoiding local leakage due to uneven force. The alignment ring 8, located between the connecting end faces of the end cover 2 and the steering gear housing 1, allows for rapid and accurate positioning in the early stages of assembly, ensuring correct alignment of the sealing assembly, preventing bias pressure, and significantly improving assembly accuracy and sealing reliability.

[0018] Working principle: When using the oil leakage prevention sealing structure of this automotive steering gear, firstly, the centering ring 8 is placed on the end face of the steering gear housing 1. Then, the limiting pressure ring 6 is fitted onto the sealing end face of the steering gear housing 1, and its inner ring annular protrusion 61 is embedded in the annular groove on the end face of the steering gear housing 1. Next, the metal sealing ring 5 is fitted onto the steering gear housing 1, and its inner ring conical lip 52 is aligned with the sealing slope of the steering gear housing 1. Then, the elastic corrugated ring 4 is fitted onto the outside of the metal sealing ring 5. Then, the end cover 2 is aligned with the steering gear housing 1, so that the annular stepped groove 3 on the inner side of the end cover 2 successively accommodates the elastic corrugated ring 4, the metal sealing ring 5, and the limiting pressure ring 6, and ensures that the positioning boss 51 on the outer periphery of the metal sealing ring 5 is embedded in the stepped surface of the annular stepped groove 3. Finally, the end cover 2 is firmly connected to the steering gear housing 1 by evenly tightening six bolts 7 around the circumference of the end cover 2, thus completing a series of operations.

[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. A leak-proof sealing structure for an automotive steering gear, comprising a steering gear housing (1) and an end cap (2), characterized in that: The end cap (2) has an annular stepped groove (3) on its inner side. The annular stepped groove (3) is provided with an elastic corrugated ring (4), a metal sealing ring (5) and a limiting pressure ring (6) arranged sequentially from the outside to the inside. The outer end face of the elastic corrugated ring (4) abuts against the end cap (2), and the inner end face of the elastic corrugated ring (4) abuts against the metal sealing ring (5). The limiting pressure ring (6) is sleeved on the inner side of the metal sealing ring (5) and abuts against the sealing end face of the steering gear housing (1). The end cap (2) and the steering gear housing (1) are connected by bolts (7).

2. The oil leakage prevention sealing structure for an automotive steering gear according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic corrugated ring (4) is an annular elastomer composed of multiple continuous V-shaped corrugations. Its material is oil-resistant rubber, and the corrugations are filled with microporous energy-absorbing material.

3. The oil leakage prevention sealing structure for an automotive steering gear according to claim 1, characterized in that: The metal sealing ring (5) is made of stainless steel and has a positioning boss (51) on its outer periphery. The positioning boss (51) is embedded in the step surface of the annular stepped groove (3).

4. The oil leakage prevention sealing structure for an automotive steering gear according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner edge of the metal sealing ring (5) extends inward to form a tapered lip (52), which fits against the sealing slope of the steering gear housing (1).

5. The oil leakage prevention sealing structure for an automotive steering gear according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer diameter of the limiting pressure ring (6) is smaller than the inner diameter of the metal sealing ring (5), and the inner ring of the limiting pressure ring (6) is provided with an annular protrusion (61), which is embedded in the annular groove on the end face of the steering gear housing (1).

6. The oil leakage prevention sealing structure for an automotive steering gear according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bolts (7) are evenly distributed around the end cap (2), and there are six bolts. A centering ring (8) is provided between the end cap (2) and the connecting end face of the steering gear housing (1).

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