Ball screw mechanism, integrated brake control system, and electromechanical brake system
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202521886380.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-21
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-09-02
AI Technical Summary
但是，由于回珠曲线的转弯半径小(现有的设计中转弯半径R1＝2.25mm)，不利于滚珠顺畅通过；此外，增加珠链110和回珠结构120的设计，增加了轴向空间和成本，不利于滚珠丝杠机构在汽车零部件中的应用
[0008]本申请在丝杠轴上设置连续的螺纹滚道，无需增加珠链，回珠器也仅需设置一对。弯道自螺纹滚道的端部绕至丝杠轴的轴端并连通内部通道，充分利用丝杠轴的轴端空间，可以设计更平缓、更流畅、曲率半径更大的回珠路径，确保滚珠顺畅通过，提升滚珠丝杠机构的稳定性和可靠性。
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Figure CN224665191U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of automotive parts technology, specifically to ball screw mechanisms, integrated braking control systems, and electromechanical braking systems. Background Technology
[0002] Ball screw mechanisms are widely used in automotive parts. For example, in brakes, ball screw mechanisms convert the rotational motion of a power source into linear motion, pushing the friction pads to press against the brake disc to achieve braking.
[0003] A ball screw mechanism mainly consists of a screw shaft, a nut, and balls that roll between the threaded track of the screw shaft and the threaded track of the nut. A ball screw mechanism requires a ball return structure to achieve the cyclic rolling of the balls, ensuring stable operation and meeting stroke requirements.
[0004] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates the ball return structure of an existing ball screw mechanism. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Indicate Figure 1 The cross-sectional structure at the position of the middle return bead; combined with Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the existing design uses two sets of ball chains 110 and four ball return structures 120 to ensure successful ball return. However, the small turning radius of the ball return curve (turning radius R1 = 2.25mm in the existing design) is not conducive to the smooth passage of the balls. In addition, the addition of ball chains 110 and ball return structures 120 increases axial space and cost, which is not conducive to the application of ball screw mechanisms in automotive parts.
[0005] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the background section above is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of this application, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content
[0006] This application provides a ball screw mechanism, an integrated braking control system, and an electromechanical braking system. By utilizing the space at the end of the screw shaft, a smooth ball return path is designed to ensure smooth ball passage without the need for additional ball chains and ball return devices, thus enabling the application of the ball screw mechanism in automotive components such as braking systems.
[0007] According to one aspect of this application, a ball screw mechanism is provided, comprising: a continuous threaded raceway disposed on the outer peripheral wall of a screw shaft; and a ball return channel connecting the beginning and end ends of the threaded raceway, the ball return channel including an internal channel built into the screw shaft and a pair of bends connecting the internal channel and the threaded raceway, wherein each bend is formed by a ball return device mounted on the shaft end of the screw shaft and a first ball return groove disposed at the end of the threaded raceway, and each bend extends from the end of the threaded raceway to the shaft end of the screw shaft and connects to the internal channel.
[0008] This application features a continuous threaded raceway on the lead screw shaft, eliminating the need for an additional ball chain and requiring only one pair of ball return devices. The bend extends from the end of the threaded raceway to the end of the lead screw shaft and connects to the internal channel, fully utilizing the space at the end of the lead screw shaft. This allows for the design of a smoother, more fluid ball return path with a larger radius of curvature, ensuring smooth ball passage and improving the stability and reliability of the ball screw mechanism.
[0009] In some embodiments, each bend includes two connected arcuate channels, extending from the end of the threaded raceway toward the end of the lead screw shaft, and from the end of the lead screw shaft toward the inner channel, respectively. Compared to a single arcuate bend, this application divides the bend into two segments, allowing for a more optimized design that makes the ball's steering smoother and gentler, reducing impact and energy loss, thereby improving the performance of the ball screw mechanism.
[0010] In some embodiments, the radii of curvature of both arc channels are greater than or equal to 5 mm. Compared to the turning radius of existing designs, this application more than doubles the radius of curvature of the arc channels, thus achieving a gentler return path and a larger-radius loop design.
[0011] In some embodiments, the bend is smoothly connected to the threaded raceway and the internal channel to avoid discontinuous transitions that could cause ball jamming, impact, and noise.
[0012] In some embodiments, the internal channel extends along the axial direction of the lead screw shaft or forms an angle with the axial direction of the lead screw shaft that is less than a preset angle, so as to minimize the distance of the internal channel, thereby shortening the return ball path and avoiding return ball loss.
[0013] In some embodiments, the ball return device is screwed to the outer peripheral wall of the lead screw shaft, and the screwed portion is spaced apart from the bend. This spacing between the screwed portion and the bend avoids disrupting the smoothness of the inner wall of the ball return channel, thereby preventing interference points and ensuring smooth ball passage.
[0014] In some embodiments, the ball returner is provided with a second ball return groove, which together with the first ball return groove forms the bend. By combining the two parts to form a complete bend, the processing difficulty and cost of individual parts are reduced, and manufacturing precision is improved.
[0015] In some embodiments, the ball returner is further provided with a guide lip communicating with the second ball return groove. The guide lip is in clearance fit with the threaded raceway to form a ball return inlet and outlet, which accurately guides the balls from the threaded raceway / ball return channel to prevent the balls from derailing or getting stuck at the ball return inlet and outlet.
[0016] In some embodiments, the surface of the first ball return groove is formed as a semi-circular surface, and the surface of the second ball return groove is formed as a semi-elliptical surface. The semi-circular surface is used to better match the shape of the ball itself and provide uniform support; the semi-elliptical surface can better guide the ball's direction through the changing curvature, making the ball return process smooth and reliable.
[0017] In some embodiments, the first bead return groove is a milled groove to obtain high precision and smooth surface quality, ensuring bead return performance; the bead returner is a sintered part to manufacture a bead returner with a complex shape that meets performance requirements; the internal channel is a drilled hole to achieve efficient and reliable processing.
[0018] In some embodiments, the ball screw mechanism further includes a nut screwed onto the screw shaft. The nut has a threaded track adapted to the threaded raceway, and the threaded track and the threaded raceway define a raceway space for the balls to roll. Through the cooperation of the screw shaft, nut, and balls, the conversion between rotary motion and linear motion is achieved.
[0019] According to another aspect of this application, an integrated braking control system is provided, which is configured with a ball screw mechanism as described in any of the above embodiments, the ball screw mechanism being mounted in the brake of the integrated braking control system.
[0020] According to another aspect of this application, an electromechanical braking system is provided, which is configured with a ball screw mechanism as described in any of the above embodiments, the ball screw mechanism being mounted in the brake of the electromechanical braking system.
[0021] The ball screw mechanism of this application makes full use of the space at the end of the screw shaft to achieve a large-radius, smoothly transitioning curve design, and cooperates with the internal space of the screw shaft to achieve a ball return channel design, thereby improving the smoothness, reliability and compactness of the ball screw mechanism, so as to be assembled in the brake of the integrated braking control system and the electromechanical braking system, and enable the integrated braking control system and the electromechanical braking system to have stable and reliable braking performance.
[0022] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not limit this application. Attached Figure Description
[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application. It is obvious that the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this application, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any inventive effort.
[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the ball return structure of an existing ball screw mechanism is shown;
[0025] Figure 2 and Figure 3 Show Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the location of the central return bead;
[0026] Figure 4 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the ball screw mechanism in an embodiment of this application is shown;
[0027] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the ball screw mechanism in an embodiment of this application is shown.
[0028] Figure 6 This document shows a schematic diagram of the screw shaft structure of the ball screw mechanism in an embodiment of this application.
[0029] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the ball return mechanism of the ball screw mechanism in an embodiment of this application;
[0030] Figure 9 The diagram shows the structural schematics of ball screw mechanisms of different sizes in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0031] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make this application more comprehensive and complete, and to fully convey the concept of the exemplary embodiments to those skilled in the art.
[0032] The accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of this application and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar structures, and therefore, repeated descriptions of them will be omitted.
[0033] The use of terms such as "first," "second," and similar words in the specific description does not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but is merely used to distinguish different components. The terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, in the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or a connection within two elements.
[0034] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments of this application and the features in different embodiments can be combined with each other.
[0035] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The diagram illustrates the three-dimensional and cross-sectional structures of the ball screw mechanism in the embodiments of this application. Figure 6 The diagram illustrates the structure of the lead screw shaft of the ball screw mechanism in the embodiments of this application; combined with Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the ball screw mechanism provided in this application embodiment includes:
[0036] A continuous threaded raceway 210 is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the lead screw shaft 200;
[0037] The ball return channels (220, 230) connect the two ends (210a, 210b) of the thread raceway 210. The ball return channels (220, 230) include an internal channel 230 built into the lead screw shaft 200 and a pair of bends 220 connecting the internal channel 230 and the thread raceway 210. Each bend 220 is formed by a ball return device 300 installed at the end of the lead screw shaft 200 and a first ball return groove 220a provided at the end of the thread raceway 210. Each bend 220 extends from the end of the thread raceway 210 to the end of the lead screw shaft 200 and connects to the internal channel 230.
[0038] This application provides a continuous threaded raceway 210 on the lead screw shaft 200, eliminating the need for an additional ball chain and requiring only one pair of ball returnrs 300. The ball return channels (220, 230) connect the two ends (210a, 210b) of the threaded raceway 210, allowing the balls 400 to circulate within it. This ensures stable operation of the ball screw mechanism and meets stroke requirements. The ball return channels (220, 230) include an internal channel 230 and a pair of bends 220, enabling the balls 400 to circulate within the lead screw shaft 200 without occupying additional space, resulting in a compact overall structure for the ball screw mechanism. The bends 220 are formed by the ball returnr 300 and the first ball return groove 220a, allowing for the machining of bends 220 suitable for the balls 400 to traverse. The bend 220 extends from the end of the threaded raceway 210 to the end of the lead screw shaft 200 and connects to the internal channel 230. It makes full use of the space at the end of the lead screw shaft 200, allowing for the design of a smoother, more fluid ball return path with a larger radius of curvature. This solves problems such as poor ball 400 passage, noise, and wear, ensuring smooth ball 400 passage and improving the stability and reliability of the ball screw mechanism.
[0039] The ball return path design in this application is applicable to ball screw mechanisms of various sizes, such as... Figure 9 The ball screw mechanisms shown are 31mm, 40mm, and 56mm in diameter. The ball screw mechanism of this application can be applied to various suitable automotive components, such as braking systems, and can effectively improve the braking performance of the braking system through a stable and reliable ball return path design.
[0040] Continue to combine Figures 4 to 6 As shown, in some embodiments, each bend 220 includes two connected arcuate channels (220a, 220b), extending from the end of the threaded raceway 210 towards the end of the lead screw shaft 200, and from the end of the lead screw shaft 200 towards the inner channel 230, respectively. Compared to a single arcuate bend, this application divides the bend 220 into two segments, allowing for a more optimized design that makes the steering of the ball 400 smoother and gentler, reducing impact and energy loss, thereby improving the performance of the ball screw mechanism.
[0041] In other embodiments, the curve 220 can also be designed as a more complex arc curve, which is a composite arc curve formed by a combination of arcs with different radii, to achieve a smoother transition.
[0042] In some embodiments, the radii of curvature of both arc-shaped channels (220a, 220b) are greater than or equal to 5 mm. This is compared to the turning radius R1 of existing designs (see...). Figure 3This application more than doubles the radius of curvature of the arc channels (220a, 220b), fully realizing a gentler ball return path and a larger radius circulation design, thereby effectively improving the performance of the ball screw mechanism and reducing noise and wear. See also Figure 5 The curvature radii of the two arc channels (220a, 220b) can be designed as follows: R2 = 5mm, R3 = 6mm, but are not limited to these values.
[0043] In some embodiments, the bend 220 is smoothly connected to the threaded raceway 210 and the internal channel 230 to avoid discontinuous transitions that could cause the ball 400 to jam, generate impact and noise. This ensures a smooth transition of the entire cycle path from the threaded raceway 210 to the bend 220, then to the internal channel 230, and finally to the threaded raceway 210, making the ball 400 move smoothly and thus improving the reliability and smoothness of the ball screw mechanism.
[0044] In some embodiments, the internal channel 230 extends along the axial direction Z of the lead screw shaft 200 or the angle between the internal channel 230 and the axial direction Z of the lead screw shaft 200 is less than a preset angle, so as to minimize the distance of the internal channel 230, thereby shortening the return ball path, avoiding return ball loss, and simplifying the processing of the internal channel 230.
[0045] In some embodiments, the ball returner 300 is screwed to the outer peripheral wall of the lead screw shaft 200, and the screwed portion 330 is spaced apart from the bend 220. Screwing is a robust, reliable, and easy-to-assemble fixing method. The spaced-apart screw portion 330 from the bend 220 avoids disrupting the smoothness of the inner wall of the ball return channel (220, 230), thereby avoiding interference points and ensuring smooth passage of the balls 400.
[0046] Figure 7 and Figure 8 The diagram illustrates the structure of the ball return mechanism in the embodiment of this application; combined with Figures 4 to 8 As shown, in some embodiments, the ball returner 300 is provided with a second ball return groove 220b, which together with the first ball return groove 220a forms a bend 220. By using the two parts (the second ball return groove 220b of the ball returner 300 and the first ball return groove 220a of the lead screw shaft 200) to form a complete bend 220, the processing difficulty and cost of individual parts are reduced, and manufacturing precision is improved. At the same time, different materials and processing techniques can be used for the two parts to optimize the performance of the formed bend 220.
[0047] In some embodiments, the ball returner 300 is further provided with a guide lip 220c communicating with the second ball return groove 220b. The guide lip 220c is in clearance fit with the thread raceway 210 to form a ball return inlet and outlet, which accurately guides the balls 400 from the thread raceway 210 / ball return channel (220, 230) to prevent the balls 400 from derailing or getting stuck at the ball return inlet and outlet.
[0048] In some embodiments, the surface of the first ball return groove 220a is formed as a semi-circular surface, and the surface of the second ball return groove 220b is formed as a semi-elliptical surface. The semi-circular surface is used to better match the shape of the ball 400 itself, providing uniform support; the semi-elliptical surface can better guide the ball 400 to turn through the varying curvature, making the ball return process smooth and reliable. In other embodiments, the shape of the surfaces of the first ball return groove 220a / second ball return groove 220b can be adjusted as needed to ensure that the ball 400 returns smoothly.
[0049] In some embodiments, the first bead return groove 220a is a milled groove to obtain high precision and a smooth surface quality, ensuring bead return performance; the bead return device 300 is a sintered part to manufacture a bead return device 300 with a complex shape that meets performance requirements; the internal channel 230 is a drilled hole to achieve efficient and reliable processing. In other embodiments, considering factors such as performance, process, and cost, the first bead return groove 220a forming the bead return channel (220, 230), the bead return device 300, the internal channel 230, and other components can be processed using other suitable methods.
[0050] In some embodiments, the ball screw mechanism further includes a nut (not specifically shown) screwed onto the screw shaft 200. The nut has a threaded track adapted to the threaded raceway 210, and the threaded track and the threaded raceway 210 define a raceway space for the ball 400 to roll. Through the cooperation of the screw shaft 200, the nut, and the ball 400, the conversion between rotary motion and linear motion is realized.
[0051] Compared to a structure with two sets of ball chains and four return balls, the ball screw mechanism of this application can carry more balls 400 with the same nut diameter, providing greater load-bearing capacity and reducing the overall axial dimension of the ball screw mechanism by about 4mm.
[0052] This application also provides an integrated brake control (IBC) system, which is equipped with a ball screw mechanism as described in any of the above embodiments, the ball screw mechanism being mounted in the brake of the integrated brake control system.
[0053] This application also provides an electro-mechanical braking (EMB) system, which is equipped with a ball screw mechanism as described in any of the above embodiments, the ball screw mechanism being assembled in the brake of the electro-mechanical braking system.
[0054] The ball screw mechanism of this application fully utilizes the space at the end of the screw shaft 200 to achieve a large-radius, smoothly transitioning curve 220 design. It also coordinates with the internal space of the screw shaft 200 to achieve a ball return channel (220, 230) design, improving the smoothness, reliability, and compactness of the ball screw mechanism. This allows for its integration into the brakes of integrated braking control systems and electromechanical braking systems, providing stable and reliable braking performance. Specifically, during braking, the ball screw mechanism converts the rotational motion of the power source into linear motion, pushing the friction pads to press against the brake disc to achieve braking.
[0055] The above description, in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, provides a further detailed explanation of this application and should not be construed as limiting the specific implementation of this application to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art, various simple deductions or substitutions can be made without departing from the concept of this application, and all such modifications or substitutions should be considered within the scope of protection of this application.
Claims
1. A ball screw mechanism, characterized in that, include: A continuous threaded raceway is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the lead screw shaft; A ball return channel connects the beginning and end of the thread raceway. The ball return channel includes an internal channel built into the lead screw shaft and a pair of bends connecting the internal channel and the thread raceway. Each bend is formed by a ball return device installed at the end of the lead screw shaft and a first ball return groove provided at the end of the thread raceway. Each bend extends from the end of the thread raceway to the end of the lead screw shaft and connects to the internal channel.
2. The ball screw mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the bends includes two connected arcuate channels, extending from the end of the threaded raceway toward the end of the lead screw shaft, and from the end of the lead screw shaft toward the inner channel, respectively.
3. The ball screw mechanism as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The radii of curvature of both arc channels are greater than or equal to 5 mm.
4. The ball screw mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bend is smoothly connected to the threaded raceway and the internal channel.
5. The ball screw mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The internal channel extends along the axial direction of the lead screw or the angle between the internal channel and the axial direction of the lead screw is less than a preset angle.
6. The ball screw mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The ball return device is screwed to the outer peripheral wall of the lead screw shaft, and the screwed part is spaced apart from the bend.
7. The ball screw mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bead returner is provided with a second bead return groove, which together with the first bead return groove forms the bend.
8. The ball screw mechanism as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The ball return device is also provided with a guide lip that communicates with the second ball return groove. The guide lip is in clearance fit with the threaded raceway to form a ball return inlet and outlet.
9. The ball screw mechanism as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The surface of the first bead return groove is formed as a semi-circular surface, and the surface of the second bead return groove is formed as a semi-elliptical surface.
10. The ball screw mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first bead return groove is a milled groove, the bead returner is a sintered part, and the internal channel is a drilled hole.
11. The ball screw mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The ball screw mechanism also includes a nut screwed onto the screw shaft. The nut is provided with a threaded raceway that is adapted to the threaded raceway. The threaded raceway and the threaded raceway limit the raceway space for the balls to roll.
12. An integrated braking control system, characterized in that, The system is equipped with a ball screw mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, the ball screw mechanism being mounted in the brake of the integrated braking control system.
13. An electromechanical braking system, characterized in that, The system is equipped with a ball screw mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, the ball screw mechanism being mounted in the brake of the electromechanical braking system.