Low energy consumption EPS worm

Abstract

The application discloses a low-energy-consumption EPS worm, and aims at solving the problems of abrasion and high energy consumption caused by uneven lubrication in the prior art. The worm comprises a body provided with spiral grooves, an oil storage cavity is arranged in the body, an oil storage elastic element and a plurality of blocking needles connected by a blocking plate are arranged in the cavity, and a radial oil outlet hole is arranged in the side wall of the oil storage cavity. In a default state, the blocking plate is tightly attached to the inner wall of the oil storage cavity under the action of the elastic element to form a seal, and the head of the blocking needle blocks the outlet of the oil outlet hole to realize zero leakage. When the worm gear is engaged to press the head of the blocking needle, the blocking needle retreats axially stably, drives the blocking plate to move downward to remove the seal, lubricating oil enters and flows out of the oil outlet hole immediately, and precise and controllable on-demand lubrication is realized. The application supplies oil only when necessary through a linkage opening and closing mechanism, greatly reduces the waste of lubricating oil and transmission resistance, effectively reduces the abrasion of the worm gear and the energy consumption of the system operation, and significantly improves the reliability and service life of the EPS system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of worm gear technology, specifically relating to a low-energy EPS worm gear. Background Technology

[0002] Electric power steering (EPS) systems, with their compact structure, low energy consumption, and adjustable assist characteristics, have become the mainstream technology in modern automotive steering systems. In its core transmission mechanism, the meshing transmission between the worm gear and worm is crucial for torque transmission and speed reduction / torque amplification. As the driving component, the performance and reliability of the worm directly affect the efficiency, noise, and lifespan of the entire EPS system. To ensure the long-term stable operation of the worm gear pair, a common lubrication method is to fill a sufficient amount of grease into the worm's helical grooves during assembly. The grease's adhesion provides long-term lubrication, offering a lubricating medium to the friction pair and reducing wear.

[0003] However, the aforementioned existing technologies have obvious shortcomings, mainly in the following two aspects:

[0004] 1. One-time filling of grease is prone to oxidation, deterioration, and evaporation during long-term use, gradually drying out and reducing its lubricating effect. At the same time, metal shavings generated during grinding will also get mixed in, exacerbating the wear of the friction pair.

[0005] 2. Excessive lubricating oil or overly viscous grease will fill the meshing gaps, resulting in significant "oil churning losses" and increasing transmission resistance. This will directly cause the drive motor to output greater torque to overcome this resistance, thereby increasing the energy loss of the entire EPS system, which contradicts the overall design goal of energy conservation and emission reduction in automobiles. Utility Model Content

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solution.

[0007] A low-energy-consumption EPS worm gear includes a body with a helical groove on its outer periphery and an oil reservoir cavity inside the body. The oil reservoir cavity contains an oil reservoir elastic element and a plug needle. Several axially distributed oil outlet holes are provided on the side wall of the oil reservoir cavity, extending radially from the inner wall of the oil reservoir cavity to the bottom of the helical groove. The plug needle is located within the oil outlet hole and is mounted on a plug plate. The bottom surface of the plug plate abuts against the oil reservoir elastic element, which stores lubricating oil and is elastic. Under the elastic force of the oil reservoir elastic element, the top surface of the plug plate tightly abuts against the inner wall of the oil reservoir cavity, forming a seal. Simultaneously, the head of the plug needle protrudes from the oil outlet hole into the helical groove, blocking the oil outlet hole. When the external worm gear engages with the helical groove and applies radial pressure to the head of the plug needle, the plug needle can stably retract axially along the oil outlet hole, causing the plug plate to move downward against the elastic force of the oil storage elastic element, so that the top surface of the plug plate separates from the inner wall of the oil storage cavity, thereby releasing the seal and allowing lubricating oil to enter the oil outlet hole and flow out from the opened outlet. This design reduces the wear of the worm gear.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of a low-energy-consumption EPS worm gear, the oil storage chamber is divided into a main chamber located in the middle and auxiliary chambers located on both sides of the main chamber. The inner diameter of the main chamber is larger than that of the auxiliary chambers, and the main chamber and auxiliary chambers are connected by a transition channel whose inner diameter changes axially. This design increases the total oil storage capacity, extends the maintenance cycle, and the structure facilitates the accumulation of lubricating oil in the main chamber, ensuring a stable and uniform oil supply to the oil outlet.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of a low-energy-consumption EPS worm gear, the body includes a worm section in the middle and end sections on both sides, which are connected by fasteners. The main cavity is located on the worm section, and the secondary cavity and transition channel are located on the end sections. A seal is provided at the connection between the worm section and the end sections to prevent lubricating oil leakage. The split design reduces manufacturing difficulty and cost.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of a low-energy EPS worm gear, the end section is provided with a positioning part, and the worm section is provided with a positioning groove that mates with the positioning part. The cooperation between the positioning part and the positioning groove ensures that the secondary cavities and transition channels on both end sections are strictly coaxial with the main cavity on the worm section, guaranteeing assembly accuracy.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of a low-energy-consumption EPS worm gear, the plugging pin includes a rod portion for connecting to a plugging plate. The rod portion is a smooth rod structure that slides into the oil outlet hole, and the head is a conical structure with a rounded top. The length of the rod portion is set such that when the head of the plugging pin is pressed back into the oil outlet hole, the rod portion of the plugging pin completely exits the oil outlet hole, allowing lubricating oil to enter the oil outlet hole. The rod portion can constrain the radial movement of the plugging pin, preventing problems such as uneven force on the plugging plate, damage to the sealing surface, or even jamming of the mechanism caused by the radial eccentric force from the worm gear meshing when subjected to the radial eccentric force.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of a low-energy EPS worm gear, the plug pins share a single plug plate, which can increase the pressure-bearing area of ​​the oil storage elastic element to release more lubricating oil.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of a low-energy EPS worm gear, the plug pin is made of wear-resistant metal, ensuring an extremely long service life and resistance to wear and deformation even during repeated contact with the worm wheel and frequent sliding in the oil outlet. The plug plate is made of soft rubber, which can form a tight soft contact seal with the inner wall of the oil reservoir, and the rubber material has a certain buffering and vibration absorption effect, helping to reduce the impact of the plug pin during operation.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of a low-energy EPS worm gear, the oil storage elastic element is made of polyurethane sponge. On the one hand, its porous structure can absorb and store a large amount of lubricating oil, acting as a stable oil source; on the other hand, it has good elasticity, which can provide continuous and stable reset elastic force for the plug plate and plug pin, ensuring that after the worm gear disengages, the plug pin and plug plate can quickly and reliably reset, and re-achieve sealing and blocking.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following beneficial technical effects: the design of the oil reservoir and the plugging needle and plugging plate enables active lubrication of the worm gear, reducing the wear of the worm gear and reducing energy consumption. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of an EPS worm gear.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a sectional view of the main body.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a half-section structural diagram of an EPS worm gear.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a 3D view of the blocking plate.

[0020] The following is an explanation of the reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0021] 10. Worm section; 11. Spiral groove; 12. Oil outlet; 13. Main cavity;

[0022] 20. End section; 21. Secondary cavity; 22. Transition channel; 23. Positioning part; 24. Fastener; 25. Seal;

[0023] 30. Plug pin; 31. Plug plate; 32. Head; 33. Rod;

[0024] 40. Oil storage elastic component. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0026] In the following embodiments, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components or components with the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0027] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms such as center, longitudinal, transverse, length, width, thickness, upper, lower, front, back, left, right, vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, inner, outer, clockwise, and counterclockwise, indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description; therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features shown. In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," etc., should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0028] refer to Figures 1 to 4 A low-energy EPS worm gear mainly includes a body with helical grooves 11 and an oil storage and lubrication system integrated inside the body. The core components of the oil storage and lubrication system are as follows: an oil storage chamber is axially arranged inside the body, and an oil storage elastic element 40 is placed inside the chamber; several oil outlet holes 12 are radially opened on the side wall of the oil storage chamber, extending to the bottom of the helical grooves 11, and the several oil outlet holes 12 are linearly and uniformly distributed along the axial direction of the body. Each oil outlet hole 12 is equipped with a plug needle 30, and all plug needles 30 are fixed together on a plug plate 31, the bottom surface of which is supported on the oil storage elastic element 40.

[0029] In the initial state, the elastic force provided by the oil reservoir elastic element 40 presses the top surface of the plug plate 31 tightly against the inner wall of the oil reservoir cavity, forming a reliable sealing interface. Simultaneously, the heads 32 of each plug pin 30 extend out of the oil outlet 12, blocking its outlet. When the worm gear meshes and moves to the position of the plug pin 30 and applies radial pressure to its head 32, the plug pin 30 will overcome the elastic force and smoothly retreat axially, causing the plug plate 31 to move downwards synchronously, thereby breaking the seal. At this time, lubricating oil can enter the oil outlet 12 and flow out from the opened outlet, achieving precise lubrication of the meshing area and effectively reducing the wear of the worm gear.

[0030] To further optimize structural performance, the worm gear adopts a split design: the main body consists of a central worm section 10 and two end sections 20 connected by fasteners 24. The oil reservoir is correspondingly divided into a main cavity 13 located within the worm section 10 and a secondary cavity 21 located within the end sections 20, with the main cavity 13 and secondary cavity 21 smoothly connected via a transition channel 22 with varying diameter. This structure not only increases the total oil storage capacity and extends the maintenance interval but also promotes the collection of lubricating oil into the main cavity 13, ensuring the uniformity and stability of oil supply from each oil outlet 12. A seal 25 is also specifically installed at the segment connection to prevent lubricating oil leakage.

[0031] To ensure assembly accuracy and coaxiality, a positioning part 23 is provided on the end section 20, and a transition channel 22 is located within the positioning part 23. A matching positioning groove is provided on the worm section 10. This mating structure ensures that the secondary cavities 21 at both ends, the transition channel 22, and the main cavity 13 of the worm section 10 are precisely aligned, which not only ensures smooth oil passage but also improves connection reliability.

[0032] In terms of key component design, the plug needle 30 is made of wear-resistant metal, and its rod 33 and oil outlet 12 are a smooth rod structure with a sliding fit, while the head 32 is rounded and conical. This rod 33 structure can effectively constrain the radial movement of the plug needle 30, preventing it from tilting or jamming when subjected to the eccentric force of the worm gear, thereby avoiding uneven stress on the plug plate 31 or damage to the sealing surface. The plug plate 31 is made of soft rubber, which can achieve excellent soft contact sealing and has good buffering and shock absorption characteristics. The design of all plug needles 30 sharing a single plug plate 31 increases the pressure-bearing area of ​​the oil reservoir elastic element 40, which helps to release more lubricating oil on a single triggering.

[0033] The oil storage elastic element 40 is made of polyurethane sponge, whose internal porous structure can absorb and store a large amount of lubricating oil, serving as a stable oil source. At the same time, the material's excellent elasticity can provide continuous and stable reset force for the plug plate 31 and the plug needle 30, ensuring that the entire mechanism can quickly reset and re-enter the sealed blocking state after the worm gear disengages.

[0034] The scope of protection of this utility model includes, but is not limited to, the above embodiments. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the claims. Any substitutions, modifications, or improvements to this technology that are easily conceived by those skilled in the art shall fall within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A low-energy EPS worm gear, comprising a body, wherein the outer periphery of the body is provided with a helical groove (11), characterized in that, The body has an oil storage cavity, which contains an oil storage elastic element (40) and a plug needle (30). The side wall of the oil storage cavity has several oil outlet holes (12) distributed along the axial direction. The oil outlet holes (12) extend radially from the inner wall of the oil storage cavity to the bottom of the spiral groove (11). The plug needle (30) is located in the oil outlet hole (12). The plug needle (30) is mounted on a plug plate (31). The bottom surface of the plug plate (31) abuts against the oil storage elastic element (40). The oil storage elastic element (40) stores lubricating oil and has elasticity. Under the elastic force of the oil storage elastic element (40), the top surface of the plug plate (31) tightly abuts against the inner wall of the oil storage cavity, forming a seal on the oil storage cavity; at the same time, the head (32) of the plug needle (30) protrudes from the oil outlet (12) to the spiral groove (11), forming a blockage on the outlet of the oil outlet (12); when the external worm gear meshes with the spiral groove (11) and applies radial pressure to the head (32) of the plug needle (30), the plug needle (30) can stably retreat along the axial direction of the oil outlet (12), driving the plug plate (31) to overcome the elastic force of the oil storage elastic element (40) and move downward, so that the top surface of the plug plate (31) separates from the inner wall of the oil storage cavity, thereby releasing the seal, and the lubricating oil can enter the oil outlet (12) and flow out from the opened outlet.

2. The low-energy EPS worm gear according to claim 1, characterized in that, The oil storage chamber is divided into a main chamber (13) located in the middle and a secondary chamber (21) located on both sides of the main chamber (13). The inner diameter of the main chamber (13) is larger than the inner diameter of the secondary chamber (21). The main chamber (13) and the secondary chamber (21) are connected by a transition channel (22) whose inner diameter changes along the axial direction.

3. The low-energy EPS worm gear according to claim 2, characterized in that, The body includes a worm section (10) in the middle and end sections (20) on both sides, and the end sections (20) and the worm section (10) are connected by fasteners (24); the main cavity (13) is located on the worm section (10), and the secondary cavity (21) and the transition channel (22) are located on the end sections (20); a seal (25) for preventing lubricating oil leakage is provided at the connection between the worm section (10) and the end sections (20).

4. The low-energy EPS worm gear according to claim 3, characterized in that, The end section (20) is provided with a positioning part (23), and the worm section (10) is provided with a positioning groove that matches the positioning part (23).

5. A low-energy EPS worm gear according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plug needle (30) includes a rod (33) for connecting with the plug plate (31). The rod (33) is a smooth rod structure that slides with the oil outlet (12). The head (32) is a conical structure with a rounded top. The length of the rod (33) is set such that when the head (32) of the plug needle (30) is pressed back into the oil outlet (12), the rod (33) of the plug needle (30) completely exits the oil outlet (12), allowing lubricating oil to enter the oil outlet (12).

6. The low-energy EPS worm gear according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plugging needles (30) share a common plugging plate (31).

7. The low-energy EPS worm gear according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plugging needle (30) is made of wear-resistant metal, and the plugging plate (31) is made of soft rubber.

8. A low-energy EPS worm gear according to claim 1, characterized in that, The oil storage elastic element (40) is made of polyurethane sponge.

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