A steering gear rack and pinion lash adjustment mechanism, steering assembly, and vehicle

Abstract

This utility model relates to a steering gear rack clearance adjustment mechanism, a steering assembly, and a vehicle. It includes a rubber-metal composite plug and a rack clamping block. The rubber-metal composite plug is an integral rubber and metal vulcanized bonded structure, installed on the steering gear housing. One end of the rubber-metal composite plug has a rack clamping block for pressing the rack. This application uses a rubber-metal composite plug to adjust the meshing clearance between the gear and rack through elastic clamping, replacing the traditional separate adjusting plug and spring combination structure. This significantly reduces the number of parts and simplifies the overall structural complexity of the mechanism. It also eliminates the spring assembly step, shortens the assembly process, and reduces manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the integrated rubber and metal vulcanized structure provides stronger stability, avoiding the problems of easy wear and detachment of traditional springs, improving the overall reliability of the clearance adjustment mechanism, ensuring long-term stability of the gear rack meshing clearance, and reducing the probability of abnormal noise.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive parts technology, specifically to a steering gear rack clearance adjustment mechanism, a steering assembly, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Rack and pinion steering systems are widely used in automobiles due to their simple structure, sensitive steering, and long service life. After a period of driving, the wear caused by the collision between the gears and rack increases the clearance between them. To ensure zero-backlash meshing, a clearance adjustment mechanism is installed on the back of the rack during the manufacturing process of rack and pinion steering systems.

[0003] Existing clearance adjustment mechanisms generally consist of a locking nut 1, an adjusting plug 2, a spring 3, and a rack and pinion block 4, such as Figure 1 As shown, the adjusting screw plug 2 is threaded onto the steering gear housing 5. The inner end of the adjusting screw plug 2 is movably mounted with a rack pressure block 4 via a spring 3, and the outer end of the adjusting screw plug 2 is provided with a locking nut 1. The rack pressure block 4 presses against the rack 7, and the gear 6 and rack 7 are pressed together by the adjusting screw plug 2 and the spring 3, and finally locked with the locking nut 1.

[0004] However, the structure has obvious defects: First, there are many parts and the assembly process is complicated. It requires multiple steps such as installing the pressure block, placing the spring, adjusting the screw plug and tightening the nut. This not only increases production time and cost, but also makes it easy for assembly errors to affect the adjustment accuracy. Second, the spring is in a state of compression for a long time. During the operation of the steering gear, it continuously rubs with the rack during reciprocating motion, which is prone to fatigue wear. After long-term use, the elasticity of the spring decreases, which causes the meshing gap between the gear and the rack to gradually increase, thus causing abnormal noise in the steering system and affecting the driving experience and safety.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a steering gear rack clearance adjustment mechanism that is simple in structure, easy to assemble, and wear-resistant and durable. Utility Model Content

[0006] This utility model addresses the technical problems existing in the prior art by providing a steering gear rack clearance adjustment mechanism, a steering assembly, and a vehicle.

[0007] The technical solution of this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: A steering gear rack clearance adjustment mechanism includes a rubber-metal composite plug and a rack pressure block. The rubber-metal composite plug is an integral rubber and metal vulcanized bonded structure. The rubber-metal composite plug is installed on the steering gear housing. One end of the rubber-metal composite plug is provided with the rack pressure block, which is used to press the rack.

[0008] The beneficial effects of this utility model are: The rubber-metal composite plug, which is an integral piece of rubber and metal vulcanized together, adjusts the meshing clearance between the gear and rack through elastic compression. This replaces the traditional separate adjusting plug and spring combination structure, significantly reducing the number of parts and simplifying the overall structural complexity. At the same time, it eliminates the spring assembly step, shortens the assembly process, and reduces manufacturing costs. Moreover, the integrated rubber and metal vulcanization structure provides greater stability, avoiding the problems of easy wear and detachment of traditional springs, improving the overall reliability of the clearance adjustment mechanism, ensuring long-term stability of the gear and rack meshing clearance, and reducing the probability of abnormal noise.

[0009] Furthermore, the rubber-metal composite plug includes a metal plug and a vulcanized rubber elastomer connected to one end of the metal plug. The metal plug is threaded onto a mounting hole in the steering gear housing, and the rubber elastomer abuts against the rack pressure block. The threaded installation of the metal plug allows for precise clearance adjustment, offering convenient operation and high adjustment accuracy. The rubber elastomer directly abuts against the rack pressure block, utilizing the elastic properties of rubber to provide continuous and uniform clamping force, replacing the elastic effect of a traditional spring and avoiding the problem of increased clearance due to spring fatigue. The vulcanized connection ensures a tight bond between the metal plug and the rubber elastomer, resulting in high force transmission efficiency.

[0010] Furthermore, the metal plug is riveted to the steering gear housing. This riveting connection forms an irreversible mechanical locking structure, which effectively resists vibration and impact during steering gear operation and prevents the metal plug from rotating or shifting due to vibration.

[0011] Furthermore, the metal plug extends to the outer end of the mounting hole and is locked in place by a lock nut. This removable locking mechanism facilitates readjustment of the clearance during later maintenance, improving the ease of maintenance of the mechanism.

[0012] Furthermore, the surface of the metal plug is machined with an annular boss, and the rubber elastomer is correspondingly formed with an annular groove that mates with the annular boss during vulcanization. The annular boss and the annular groove form an interlocking vulcanization structure. Combining the chemical adhesion of the vulcanization process with the mechanical interlocking of the convex and concave structure, the connection strength between the metal and the rubber is greatly improved, preventing them from peeling or falling off due to long-term stress or vibration.

[0013] Furthermore, the rubber elastomer has a non-through central groove on the side facing the rack pressure block. This limits the contact area with the rack pressure block to a circumferential edge, reducing ineffective contact area, improving contact stability, avoiding uneven force distribution or offset caused by surface contact, and ensuring that the clamping force is concentrated and evenly transmitted to the rack.

[0014] Furthermore, an oil reservoir is formed circumferentially on the side of the rubber elastomer facing the rack block. The oil reservoir can be filled with grease to continuously lubricate the contact surface between the rubber and the rack block, reducing the friction between the rubber and the rack block and minimizing wear.

[0015] Furthermore, the end face of the rack pressure block away from the rubber elastomer is provided with a hemispherical groove, which is used to press against the back of the rack teeth. This curved surface contact achieves multi-point uniform force distribution, avoiding localized stress concentration caused by point or line contact and reducing wear on the back of the rack teeth.

[0016] A steering assembly includes the aforementioned steering gear rack backlash adjustment mechanism.

[0017] A vehicle comprising the aforementioned steering assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the existing steering gear rack backlash adjustment mechanism. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the steering gear rack clearance adjustment mechanism of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rubber-metal composite screw plug of this utility model; The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows: 1. Locking nut, 2. Adjusting plug, 3. Spring, 4. Rack block, 41. Hemispherical groove, 5. Steering gear housing, 6. Gear, 7. Rack, 8. Metal plug, 81. Annular boss, 9. Rubber elastomer, 91. Central recess, 92. Oil reservoir. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0020] In the description of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0021] In the description of this application, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "set up," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this technology based on the specific circumstances.

[0022] In the description of this application, spatial relation terms such as "below," "under," "below," "below," "above," "over," etc., are used herein to describe the relationship between one element or feature shown in the figures and other elements or features. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientation shown in the figures, spatial relation terms also include different orientations of the device in use and operation. For example, if the device in the figures is flipped, an element or feature described as "below" or "under" or "below" of other elements or features will be oriented "above" other elements or features. Therefore, the exemplary terms "below" and "under" can include both upper and lower orientations. Furthermore, the device may also include other orientations (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or other orientations), and the spatial descriptive terms used herein are interpreted accordingly.

[0023] In the description of this application, the term "for example" is used to mean "used as an example, illustration, or description." Any embodiment described as "for example" in this application is not necessarily to be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments. The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to implement and use the present invention. Details are set forth in the following description for purposes of explanation. It should be understood that those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention can be implemented without using these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and processes will not be described in detail to avoid obscuring the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is consistent with the broadest scope of the principles and features disclosed in this application.

[0024] Example like Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown, this embodiment provides a steering gear rack clearance adjustment mechanism, including a rubber-metal composite plug and a rack pressure block 4. The rubber-metal composite plug is an integral rubber and metal vulcanized bonded structure. The rubber-metal composite plug is installed on the steering gear housing 5, and the rack pressure block 4 is provided at one end of the rubber-metal composite plug. The rack pressure block 4 is used to press the rack 7. This embodiment aims to adjust the meshing clearance between the gear 6 and the rack 7 by using an integral rubber-metal vulcanized bonded rubber-metal composite plug, through elastic pressing action, replacing the traditional separate adjustment plug 2 and spring 3 combination structure. This significantly reduces the number of parts and simplifies the overall structural complexity of the mechanism; at the same time, it eliminates the spring 3 assembly step, shortens the assembly process, and reduces manufacturing costs; moreover, the integral rubber and metal vulcanized structure has stronger stability, avoiding the problems of easy wear and fall-off of traditional springs, improving the overall reliability of the clearance adjustment mechanism, ensuring long-term stability of the gear rack meshing clearance, and reducing the probability of abnormal noise. Specifically: The rubber-metal composite plug includes a metal plug 8 and a vulcanized rubber elastomer 9 connected to one end of the metal plug 8. The metal plug 8 is threaded onto the mounting hole of the steering gear housing 5, and the rubber elastomer 9 abuts against the rack pressure block 4. The metal plug 8 achieves precise clearance adjustment through threaded installation, which is convenient to operate and has high adjustment accuracy. The rubber elastomer 9 directly abuts against the rack pressure block 4, using the elastic properties of rubber to provide continuous and uniform clamping force, replacing the elastic effect of traditional springs and avoiding the problem of increased clearance caused by spring fatigue. The vulcanized connection method ensures a tight bond between the metal plug 8 and the rubber elastomer 9, resulting in high force transmission efficiency.

[0025] In this embodiment, the metal plug 8 is riveted to the steering gear housing 5; or the metal plug 8 extends to the outer end of the mounting hole in the steering gear housing 5 and is locked in place by a lock nut. Riveting creates an irreversible mechanical locking structure, effectively resisting vibration and impact during steering gear operation, preventing the metal plug from rotating or shifting due to vibration, ensuring long-term stability of the adjusted position, avoiding abnormal noise or deterioration of steering feel caused by abnormal changes in the meshing clearance, and improving the mechanism's anti-loosening performance and durability. Using a lock nut and threaded connection achieves dual fixing: initial positioning and clearance adjustment via the thread, and further locking the metal plug position via the lock nut, ensuring double anti-loosening and preventing loss of adjustment accuracy. Furthermore, the detachable locking method facilitates readjustment of the clearance during later maintenance, improving the mechanism's ease of repair. Simultaneously, it complements riveting, further enhancing the installation stability of the metal plug, suitable for long-term use under complex operating conditions.

[0026] In this embodiment, the surface of the metal plug 8 is machined with an annular boss 81, and the rubber elastomer 9 is formed with an annular groove that mates with the annular boss 81 during vulcanization. The annular boss 81 and the annular groove form an interlocking vulcanization structure. The combination of the chemical bonding of the vulcanization process and the mechanical interlocking of the convex and concave structure significantly improves the connection strength between the metal and the rubber, preventing them from peeling or falling off due to long-term stress or vibration. The interlocking structure also optimizes the force transmission path, so that the pressure of the metal plug 8 is evenly distributed to the entire rubber elastomer 9, avoiding localized stress concentration on the rubber, extending the service life of the rubber elastomer 9, and ensuring continuous and stable clamping force.

[0027] In this embodiment, the rubber elastomer 9 has a non-through central recess 91 on the side facing the rack block 4. The central recess 91 defines the contact area with the rack block 4 as a circumferential edge, reducing the ineffective contact area, improving contact stability, avoiding uneven force distribution or offset caused by surface contact, and ensuring that the clamping force is concentrated and evenly transmitted to the rack 7; at the same time, reducing the contact area can reduce friction loss, and combined with the low wear characteristics of the rubber material, further extend the service life of the component, indirectly avoiding the problem of increased gap due to rubber wear.

[0028] In this embodiment, a circular oil reservoir 92 is formed on the side of the rubber elastomer 9 facing the rack block 4. The oil reservoir 92 can be filled with grease to continuously lubricate the contact surface between the rubber and the rack block 4, significantly reducing friction during relative movement, reducing wear and tear, and extending the service life of the mechanism. Grease lubrication can also buffer contact vibration, further suppressing abnormal noise and improving the quietness of the steering system. The design of the oil reservoir 92 makes it difficult for lubricating grease to leak out, ensuring long-term lubrication and improving the adaptability of the mechanism under harsh working conditions.

[0029] The rack pressure block 4 has a hemispherical groove 41 on its end face away from the rubber elastomer 9. The hemispherical groove 41 is used to press against the back of the rack 7 teeth. The curved surface fit achieves multi-point uniform force distribution, avoiding local stress concentration caused by point contact or line contact, and reducing wear on the back of the rack 7 teeth. Moreover, the hemispherical structure has a certain self-adjustment capability, which can compensate for assembly errors or small displacements of the rack 7, ensuring contact stability and ensuring precise control of the meshing clearance. At the same time, the curved surface contact can buffer the impact load during steering, improve the smoothness of steering feel, and further reduce the risk of vibration and abnormal noise.

[0030] In addition, this embodiment also provides a steering assembly and a vehicle, both of which include the steering gear rack clearance adjustment mechanism as described above, as detailed in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0031] While embodiments or examples of this disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments or examples, and the scope of this utility model is not limited by these embodiments or examples, but only by the granted claims and their equivalents. Various elements in the embodiments or examples may be omitted or replaced by their equivalents. Furthermore, the steps may be performed in a different order than that described in this disclosure. Further, various elements in the embodiments or examples may be combined in various ways. Importantly, as the technology evolves, many elements described herein can be replaced by equivalents that appear after this disclosure.

Claims

1. A steering gear rack and pinion lash adjustment mechanism characterized by, It includes a rubber-metal composite screw plug and a rack and pinion block (4). The rubber-metal composite screw plug is an integral rubber and metal vulcanized bonding structure. The rubber-metal composite screw plug is installed on the steering gear housing (5). One end of the rubber-metal composite screw plug is provided with the rack and pinion block (4). The rack and pinion block (4) is used to press the rack (7). The rubber-metal composite plug includes a metal plug (8) and a vulcanized rubber elastomer (9) connected to one end of the metal plug (8). The metal plug (8) is threaded onto the mounting hole of the steering gear housing (5), and the rubber elastomer (9) abuts against the rack pressure block (4).

2. A rack-and-pinion lash adjustment mechanism for a steering gear as defined in claim 1, wherein The metal plug (8) is fixed to the steering gear housing (5) by riveting.

3. A rack-and-pinion lash adjustment mechanism for a steering gear as defined in claim 1 wherein, The metal plug (8) extends to the outer end of the mounting hole and is locked in place by a lock nut.

4. A rack-and-pinion lash adjustment mechanism according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The surface of the metal plug (8) is machined with an annular boss (81), and the rubber elastomer (9) is formed with an annular groove that matches the annular boss (81) during vulcanization molding.

5. A rack-and-pinion lash adjustment mechanism for a steering gear as defined in claim 1, wherein, The rubber elastomer (9) has a non-through central groove (91) on the side facing the rack block (4).

6. A steering gear rack backlash adjustment mechanism according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that, The rubber elastomer (9) has an oil reservoir (92) circumferentially formed on the side facing the rack block (4).

7. A rack-and-pinion lash adjustment mechanism for a steering gear as defined in claim 1 wherein, The rack pressure block (4) has a hemispherical groove (41) on one end face away from the rubber elastomer (9), and the hemispherical groove (41) is used to press and engage with the back of the teeth of the rack (7).

8. A steering assembly characterized by, Includes a steering gear rack clearance adjustment mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A vehicle characterized by comprising: Includes the steering assembly as described in claim 8.

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