A clamping device for detecting the backlash and return force of a recirculating ball steering arm.
By designing a clamping device that includes components such as a base, sliding plate, push cylinder, and drive shaft, the problem of needing separate platforms for detecting the arm shaft clearance and return force of a recirculating ball steering gear is solved, realizing the function of simultaneous detection, and applicable to various models of recirculating ball steering gears.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202620014535.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-11-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2036-01-07
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for detecting arm shaft clearance and return force in recirculating ball steering systems require separate testing platforms, lacking a clamping device that can simultaneously detect both arm shaft clearance and return force.
A compact clamping device was designed, including components such as a base, a sliding plate, a push cylinder, a power motor, a transmission shaft, and a locking block. Through the cooperation of the sliding plate and the push cylinder, the recirculating ball steering gear is fixed and rotated. The output torque is monitored by a torque sensor to detect the arm shaft clearance and the return force.
This clamping device can simultaneously detect the clearance and return force of the recirculating ball steering arm shaft. It has a compact structure and is suitable for testing various models of recirculating ball steering systems, improving testing efficiency and convenience.
Smart Images
Figure CN224939881U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a clamping device for the clearance and return force of the arm shaft of a recirculating ball steering gear, belonging to the technical field of recirculating ball steering gear testing equipment. Background Technology
[0002] In the field of recirculating ball steering gear manufacturing technology, after production, the arm shaft clearance and return force of the recirculating ball steering gear need to be tested using testing equipment. Currently, the testing of arm shaft clearance and return force is achieved through separate testing platforms, which presents inconvenience. To enable both arm shaft clearance and return force testing to be performed on a single platform, the clamping device on the testing platform needs to have the function of applying and detecting torque to assist in the return force testing, and also to fix and clamp the connecting end of the recirculating ball steering gear to assist in the arm shaft clearance testing; currently, such a clamping device does not exist on the market. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a device with the above functions to solve the problem of inconvenience in the testing process of recirculating ball steering gear arm shaft clearance and return force. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a clamping device for detecting the clearance and return force of a recirculating ball steering arm shaft, which is compact in structure and ingenious in design, and solves the problem of inconvenience in the detection process of the clearance and return force of the recirculating ball steering arm shaft.
[0004] The technical solution of this utility model is: A clamping device for detecting the clearance and return force of a recirculating ball steering arm shaft includes a base, a sliding plate, and a pusher cylinder; characterized in that: the sliding plate is mounted on the base via the pusher cylinder and a slide rail; a power motor is mounted on the sliding plate via bearing seat A; a drive shaft is mounted on one side of bearing seat A via bearing seat B; the drive shaft and the power motor are connected via a torque sensor and a coupling; a connector is mounted on the other end of the drive shaft; and clamping blocks are mounted on both sides of bearing seat B via clamping cylinders; the clamping blocks are intermittently clamped to clamping grooves provided on the drive shaft.
[0005] The aforementioned snap-fit block has a "V" shaped structure.
[0006] The connector includes an adjusting shaft, a spline sleeve, an expansion sleeve B, and an expansion sleeve A; the other end of the drive shaft is connected to a connecting shaft via expansion sleeve A; one end of the connecting shaft is connected to an adjusting shaft and an adjusting sleeve via a flange and a flange plate; one end of the adjusting sleeve is connected to a spline sleeve via expansion sleeve B.
[0007] One end of the connecting shaft is provided with a guide ridge.
[0008] One end of the adjustment shaft is provided with a guide groove A; the other end of the adjustment shaft is provided with a guide groove B; the guide groove A and the guide groove B are arranged in a "+" shape; the adjustment shaft is connected to the guide protrusion of the connecting shaft through the guide groove A.
[0009] The adjusting sleeve has a stepped shaft structure; one end of the adjusting sleeve is provided with a guide protrusion; the guide protrusion is connected to the guide groove B of the adjusting shaft; the other end of the adjusting sleeve is provided with a directional bayonet; one end of the connecting shaft is fitted with a flange sleeve by bolts; one end of the flange sleeve is fitted with a flange plate; the flange plate is press-fitted to the stepped surface of the adjusting sleeve.
[0010] One end of the spline sleeve is provided with a directional protrusion; the directional protrusion is connected to the directional bayonet; the spline sleeve and the adjusting sleeve are fixedly connected by an expansion sleeve B.
[0011] The advantages of this utility model are: The clamping device for detecting the arm shaft clearance and return force of the recirculating ball steering gear is compact and ingeniously designed. It has both the function of outputting and driving the recirculating ball steering gear to rotate, and the function of fixing the connecting end of the recirculating ball steering gear. Therefore, in conjunction with the actions of other components of the testing platform, it can complete the detection of both the arm shaft clearance and the return force of the recirculating ball steering gear, making it particularly suitable for the needs of recirculating ball steering gear testing. Attached Figure Description
[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the isometric structure of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a top view of the structure of this utility model; Figure 4 for Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure in the AA direction; Figure 5 for Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure in the middle BB direction; Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged structural diagram at point C; Figure 7 for Figure 4 Enlarged structural diagram at point D; Figure 8 for Figure 1 Enlarged structural diagram at point E; Figure 9 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 10 for Figure 9 Axonometric structural schematic diagram; Figure 11for Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the structure after removing the spline sleeve; Figure 12 for Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the structure after removing the intermediate adjusting sleeve; Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the adjusting shaft of this utility model; Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the isometric structure of the adjusting shaft of this utility model.
[0013] In the diagram: 1. Base; 2. Push cylinder; 3. Sliding plate; 4. Bearing housing A; 5. Power motor; 6. Bearing housing B; 7. Drive shaft; 8. Torque sensor; 9. Coupling; 10. Connecting head; 11. Snap-fit cylinder; 12. Snap-fit block; 13. Snap-fit groove; 14. Expansion sleeve A; 15. Flange sleeve; 16. Flange; 17. Adjusting shaft; 18. Adjusting sleeve; 19. Expansion sleeve B; 20. Spline sleeve; 21. Guide ridge; 22. Guide groove A; 23. Guide groove B; 24. Guide protrusion; 25. Orientation bayonet; 26. Orientation protrusion; 27. Connecting shaft. Detailed Implementation
[0014] The clamping device for detecting the backlash and return force of the recirculating ball steering arm includes a base 1, a sliding plate 3, and a pusher cylinder 2 (see the instruction manual appendix). Figure 1 and 2 ).
[0015] The base 1 is equipped with a sliding plate 3 via a pusher cylinder 2 and a slide rail (see instruction manual appendix). Figure 4 When the pusher cylinder 2 is working, it can push the sliding plate 3 to slide back and forth on the base 1.
[0016] A power motor 5 is mounted on the sliding plate 3 via bearing housing A4; a drive shaft 7 is mounted on one side of bearing housing A4 via bearing housing B6; the drive shaft 7 and the power motor 5 are connected via a torque sensor 8 and a coupling 9. When the power motor 5 is working, it can drive the drive shaft 7 to rotate via the torque sensor 8 and the coupling 9. During rotation, the torque sensor 8 can monitor the output torque of the power motor 5.
[0017] The other end of the drive shaft 7 is equipped with a connector 10 (see the instruction manual appendix). Figure 1 and 4 ).
[0018] Connector 10 includes adjusting shaft 17, spline sleeve 20, expansion sleeve B19, and expansion sleeve A14 (see instruction manual appendix). Figure 7 and 8 ).
[0019] The other end of the drive shaft 7 is fitted with a connecting shaft 27 via an expansion sleeve A14 (see the instruction manual appendix). Figure 7 and9 The expansion sleeve A14 is an externally purchased component, which can fix the drive shaft 7 and the connecting shaft 27 to each other by expansion during operation.
[0020] One end of the connecting shaft 27 is provided with a guide ridge 21 (see the instruction manual appendix). Figure 12 One end of the connecting shaft 27 is fitted with an adjusting shaft 17 and an adjusting sleeve 18 via flange 15 and flange 16 (see the instruction manual appendix). Figure 8 , 9 and 11).
[0021] One end of the adjusting shaft 17 is provided with a guide groove A22; the other end of the adjusting shaft 17 is provided with a guide groove B23; the guide grooves A22 and B23 are arranged in a cross shape; the adjusting shaft 17 is connected to the guide protrusion 21 of the connecting shaft 27 through the guide groove A22.
[0022] The adjusting sleeve 18 has a stepped shaft structure; one end of the adjusting sleeve 18 is provided with a guide protrusion 24; the guide protrusion 24 is connected to the guide groove B23 of the adjusting shaft 17; the other end of the adjusting sleeve 18 is provided with a directional bayonet 25; one end of the connecting shaft 27 is bolted to a flange sleeve 15; one end of the flange sleeve 15 is fitted with a flange plate 16; the flange plate 16 is press-fitted to the stepped surface of the adjusting sleeve 18.
[0023] One end of the spline sleeve 20 is provided with a directional protrusion 26; the directional protrusion 26 is connected to the directional bayonet 25; the spline sleeve 20 and the adjusting sleeve 18 are fixedly connected by an expansion sleeve B19 (see the instruction manual appendix). Figure 9 and 11 ).
[0024] One end of the adjusting sleeve 18 is fitted with a spline sleeve 20 via an expansion sleeve B19 (see instruction manual appendix). Figure 7 , 8 (and 9). The expansion sleeve B19 is an externally purchased component, which can fix the adjusting sleeve 18 and the spline sleeve 20 to each other by expansion during operation.
[0025] The clamping device is equipped with multiple spline sleeves 20 with different inner diameters. During operation, different inner diameter spline sleeves 20 can be replaced according to different models of recirculating ball steering gears, thus achieving the purpose of adapting it to the testing of various recirculating ball steering gears. To facilitate the replacement of the spline sleeves 20, the adjusting shaft 17 and the connecting shaft 27 can be finely adjusted against each other with the cooperation of the guide groove A22 and the guide protrusion 21; the adjusting shaft 17 and the adjusting sleeve 18 can be finely adjusted against each other with the cooperation of the guide groove B23 and the guide protrusion 24. This facilitates the replacement of the spline sleeves 20 during operation, ensuring that they maintain the required coaxiality with the drive shaft 7.
[0026] The bearing housing B6 has locking blocks 12 mounted on both sides via locking cylinders 11; the locking blocks 12 have a "V" shaped structure (see the instruction manual appendix). Figure 6 and 9 The locking block 12 is intermittently engaged with the locking groove 13 on the drive shaft 7. The purpose of this locking block 12 is that when the clamping device is used to detect the clearance of the recirculating ball steering arm shaft, the locking cylinder 11 can push the locking block 12 into the locking groove 13 of the drive shaft 7, thereby achieving the purpose of locking the drive shaft 7.
[0027] The clamping device for detecting the clearance and return force of the recirculating ball steering arm shaft is used in conjunction with other components to complete the detection of the recirculating ball steering arm shaft clearance. When performing the detection, the clamping cylinder 11 pushes the clamping block 12 into the clamping groove 13 of the drive shaft 7, locking the drive shaft 7 securely. Then, the connecting end of the workpiece to be tested is inserted and connected to the spline sleeve 20. Afterward, the clamping device, in conjunction with other components, completes the detection of the recirculating ball steering arm shaft clearance.
[0028] The clamping device for detecting the clearance and return force of the recirculating ball steering arm shaft, when used for return force detection, involves inserting the connecting end of the workpiece to be tested into the spline sleeve 20; then the power motor 5 outputs torque to the connecting end of the workpiece through the torque sensor 8, the drive shaft 7 and the connector 10, and the torque output torque of the power motor 5 can be monitored by the torque sensor 8. In this process, the clamping device, together with other components, can complete the detection of the return force of the recirculating ball steering gear.
[0029] The clamping device for detecting the arm shaft clearance and return force of the recirculating ball steering gear is compact and ingeniously designed. It has both the function of outputting and driving the recirculating ball steering gear to rotate, and the function of fixing the connecting end of the recirculating ball steering gear. Therefore, in conjunction with the actions of other components of the testing platform, it can complete the detection of both the arm shaft clearance and the return force of the recirculating ball steering gear, making it particularly suitable for the needs of recirculating ball steering gear testing.
Claims
1. A clamping device for detecting the inter-axle clearance and the self-righting force of a recirculating ball steering gear arm, comprising a base (1), a sliding plate (3) and a pushing cylinder (2); characterized in that: The base (1) is equipped with a sliding plate (3) via a push cylinder (2) and a slide rail; the sliding plate (3) is equipped with a power motor (5) via a bearing seat A (4); a drive shaft (7) is equipped on one side of the bearing seat A (4) via a bearing seat B (6); the drive shaft (7) is connected to the power motor (5) via a torque sensor (8) and a coupling (9); the other end of the drive shaft (7) is equipped with a connector (10); the two sides of the bearing seat B (6) are equipped with snap-fit blocks (12) via snap-fit cylinders (11); the snap-fit blocks (12) are intermittently snap-fit connected to the snap-fit grooves (13) provided on the drive shaft (7).
2. A clamping device for checking the play between the ball races of a recirculating ball steering gear arm shaft and the return force according to claim 1, characterized in that: The snap-fit block (12) has a "V" shaped structure.
3. A clamping device for checking the play between the ball races of a recirculating ball steering gear arm shaft and the return force according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector (10) includes an adjusting shaft (17), a spline sleeve (20), an expansion sleeve B (19), and an expansion sleeve A (14); the other end of the drive shaft (7) is fitted with a connecting shaft (27) via the expansion sleeve A (14); one end of the connecting shaft (27) is fitted with an adjusting shaft (17) and an adjusting sleeve (18) via a flange sleeve (15) and a flange plate (16); one end of the adjusting sleeve (18) is fitted with a spline sleeve (20) via the expansion sleeve B (19).
4. The clamping device for detecting the clearance and return force of a recirculating ball steering arm shaft according to claim 3, characterized in that: One end of the connecting shaft (27) is provided with a guide ridge (21).
5. The clamping device for detecting the clearance and return force of a recirculating ball steering arm shaft according to claim 4, characterized in that: One end of the adjustment shaft (17) is provided with a guide groove A (22); the other end of the adjustment shaft (17) is provided with a guide groove B (23); the guide groove A (22) and the guide groove B (23) are arranged in a "+" shape; the adjustment shaft (17) is connected to the guide protrusion (21) of the connecting shaft (27) through the guide groove A (22).
6. The clamping device for detecting the clearance and return force of a recirculating ball steering arm shaft according to claim 5, characterized in that: The adjusting sleeve (18) has a stepped shaft structure; one end of the adjusting sleeve (18) is provided with a guide protrusion (24); the guide protrusion (24) is connected to the guide groove B (23) of the adjusting shaft (17); the other end of the adjusting sleeve (18) is provided with a directional bayonet (25); one end of the connecting shaft (27) is fitted with a flange sleeve (15) by bolts; one end of the flange sleeve (15) is fitted with a flange plate (16); the flange plate (16) is press-fitted to the stepped surface of the adjusting sleeve (18).
7. The clamping device for detecting the clearance and return force of a recirculating ball steering arm shaft according to claim 6, characterized in that: One end of the spline sleeve (20) is provided with a directional protrusion (26); the directional protrusion (26) is connected to the directional bayonet (25); the spline sleeve (20) and the adjusting sleeve (18) are fixedly connected by the expansion sleeve B (19).