Steering gear, steering system and methods for fastening components of the steering system

Abstract

The invention relates to a steering gear (10) for a steering system (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising a steering gear housing (12a) and / or a housing (12b) of a steering gear component; a cover (14) of the steering gear housing (12a) and / or the housing (12b) of the steering gear component, wherein the steering gear housing (12a) and / or the housing (12b) of the steering gear component are joined to the cover (14) of the steering gear housing (12a) and / or to the housing (12b) of the steering gear component using a pressure-sensitive dry adhesive (16). The invention further relates to a steering system for a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a method for attaching a housing cover (14) to a housing of a steering gear for a steering system of a motor vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a steering gear for a steering system of a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a steering system for a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for attaching a housing cover to a housing of a steering gear for a steering system of a motor vehicle. State of the art

[0002] EP 0241691 A2 discloses a rack and pinion steering system, in particular for motor vehicles, with a rack arranged axially displaceably in a steering gear housing and with a pinion driven by the steering wheel, mounted in the steering gear housing and actuating the rack.

[0003] In a rack and pinion steering system, the rotational movement from the steering wheel is transferred to the rack via a pinion and translated into a translational movement of the rack, which is transmitted to the wheel to be steered via a tie rod and other vehicle parts.

[0004] Housing components in steering gears are typically connected by positive locking, e.g., using screws or snap hooks with undercuts. The interface between the housing components is sealed either using conventional solid seals such as O-rings, molded seals, or by applying liquid sealant.

[0005] However, positive-locking connections or liquid sealants require additional components as well as a specific design of the components, such as screw joints, undercuts and / or adhesive wedges, which require installation space and are reflected in the material and manufacturing costs.

[0006] An undercut contour, for example, is costly to manufacture. The locking of the housing components must be ensured through the design and joining process, including monitoring. This results in considerable effort in the design and manufacture of the components, as well as in the monitoring of the process.

[0007] O-rings require additional installation space. These are critical in terms of crevice corrosion. The application of liquid sealant can only be performed within the steering assembly and places high demands on process control and monitoring.

[0008] The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved steering gear which enables simplified, more efficient and more cost-effective assembly of housing covers of the steering gear of a motor vehicle without compromising on the requirements, especially regarding corrosion resistance at the interfaces.

[0009] The object is achieved with a steering gear for a steering system of a motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 1. Furthermore, the object is achieved with a steering system for a motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 9. Furthermore, the object is achieved with a method for attaching a housing cover to a housing of a steering gear for a steering system of a motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 10. Disclosure of the invention

[0010] The present invention provides a steering gear for a steering system of a motor vehicle. The steering gear comprises a steering gear housing and / or a housing of a steering gear component.

[0011] Furthermore, the steering gear comprises a cover of the steering gear housing and / or the housing of the steering gear component, wherein the steering gear housing and / or the housing of the steering gear component are joined to the cover of the steering gear housing and / or to the housing of the steering gear component using a pressure-sensitive dry adhesive.

[0012] The present invention further provides a steering system for a motor vehicle, having a steering shaft drivable by a steering wheel, and a steering gear according to the invention operatively connected to the steering shaft.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for attaching a housing cover to a housing of a steering gear for a steering system of a motor vehicle.

[0014] The method comprises providing a steering gear housing and / or a housing of a steering gear component and providing a cover of the steering gear housing and / or the housing of the steering gear component.

[0015] Furthermore, the method comprises applying a pressure-sensitive dry adhesive to the steering gear housing, the housing of the steering gear component, the cover of the steering gear housing and / or the housing of the steering gear component or providing the cover of the steering gear housing, the housing of the steering gear component, the cover of the steering gear housing and / or the housing of the steering gear component with a pre-applied, pressure-sensitive dry adhesive.

[0016] The method further comprises activating the dry adhesive by pressing the cover of the steering gear housing against the steering gear housing or pressing the cover of the housing of the steering gear component against the housing of a steering gear component and curing the activated dry adhesive.

[0017] One idea of ​​the present invention is to connect the respective housing components by using a dry adhesive and to ensure the required mechanical strength.

[0018] Furthermore, a gap formed between the housing components is sealed and closed in such a way that no leakage and / or crevice corrosion of the connected components can occur, even under load.

[0019] The dry adhesive can be applied to the components to be joined, for example, inside or outside the steering assembly.

[0020] The cover of the steering gear housing and / or the housing of the steering gear component can be delivered with the dry adhesive applied and fed into the assembly line. Advantageously, no additional handling measures are required, as the dry adhesive is not activated in this state. Protective films may need to be removed.

[0021] This makes it a fast, in-line, ovenless process. It also allows for drip-free adhesive dispensing.

[0022] The dry adhesive bond also enables consistent component strength, reduced waste during application, lower volatile organic compounds compared to conventional liquid adhesives, and a reduction in CO2 emissions during production.

[0023] Existing equipment can also be used for joining and pressing. This reduces complexity, as conventional processes such as dispensing liquid adhesive, screwing, O-ring assembly, and snapping or locking the components, including monitoring, are eliminated. Furthermore, gaps in the flange between the housing cover and the housing are closed. This prevents crevice corrosion.

[0024] Furthermore, the connection is created without additional design elements. The use of design elements such as snap hooks, a retaining groove, or screws can thus be avoided.

[0025] The application, monitoring, and handling (e.g., drying times) of dry systems are simpler than with liquid systems, meaning there is less interaction with upstream and downstream processes. Furthermore, dry systems are more tolerant of dirt and thus offer greater process reliability.

[0026] By eliminating additional parts and special geometries, the joining arrangement according to the invention is more compact in terms of installation space in the vehicle. This allows for savings in material and manufacturing costs. This results in a packaging advantage, as the overall height can be significantly reduced.

[0027] Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the subclaims and from the description with reference to the figures.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the cover of the steering gear housing and / or the housing of the steering gear component is designed as a single-component plastic cover. This advantageously enables reduced complexity and cost-effective manufacturing.

[0029] According to a further preferred development, it is provided that the cover of the steering gear housing and / or the housing of the steering gear component has a circumferential centering collar with a circular, oval and / or angular geometry.

[0030] The centering collar facilitates the positioning of the cover of the steering gear housing and / or the cover of the housing of the steering gear component relative to the steering gear housing and / or the cover of the housing of the steering gear component.

[0031] According to a further preferred development, the dry adhesive is applied to the centering collar, in particular to a radial outer side of the centering collar. This eliminates the need for a retaining contour on the housing, and the overall height of the cover can be reduced accordingly.

[0032] According to a further preferred development, it is provided that the dry adhesive is designed to close a sealing gap formed between the steering gear housing and / or the housing of the steering gear component and the cover of the steering gear housing and / or the housing of the steering gear component.

[0033] The dry adhesive thus advantageously fulfills both a fastening and a sealing function, as it fills the sealing gap between the housing and the cover. By closing the gap with dry systems, crevice corrosion can be advantageously prevented. Furthermore, component tolerances can be bridged or compensated.

[0034] According to a further preferred embodiment, the dry adhesive is formed by a double-sided adhesive carrier. This advantageously allows the use of a dry adhesive tailored to a specific requirement.

[0035] The adhesive tape is a multilayer, e.g. with a foamed core or with an inserted carrier material, e.g. made of metal, etc., which increases the rigidity of the adhesive tape and is coated with adhesive on both sides and reacts to pressure.

[0036] According to a further preferred development, the housing of the steering gear component is a sensor housing, a servo housing, and / or a housing of an electric motor / gearbox unit, and the cover of the housing of the steering gear component is a sensor cover, a servo cover, and / or a cover of the electric motor / gearbox unit. The dry adhesive thus advantageously has a wide variety of possible applications in the context of steering gears.

[0037] According to a further preferred embodiment, the cover of the steering gear housing is a closure cap, a closure plug, an adjusting screw, and / or a bellows. The aforementioned components can thus be connected to the steering gear housing more efficiently using the dry adhesive.

[0038] The described designs and further training courses can be combined as desired.

[0039] Further possible embodiments, further developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention described previously or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. Short description of the drawings

[0040] The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention.

[0041] Other embodiments and many of the aforementioned advantages will become apparent upon review of the drawings. The elements illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0042] They show: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a steering gear for a steering system of a motor vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a steering system for a motor vehicle according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a method for attaching a housing cover to a housing of a steering gear for a steering system of a motor vehicle according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0043] In the figures of the drawings, the same reference symbols designate the same or functionally equivalent elements, parts or components, unless otherwise stated.

[0044] Fig. 1 shows a steering gear for a steering system of a motor vehicle, with a steering gear housing 12a and / or a housing 12b of a steering gear component.

[0045] The steering gear comprises a cover 14 of the steering gear housing 12a and / or the housing 12b of the steering gear component. The steering gear housing 12a and / or the housing 12b of the steering gear component is joined or bonded to the cover 14 of the steering gear housing 12a and / or to the housing 12b of the steering gear component using a pressure-sensitive dry adhesive 16.

[0046] The cover 14 of the steering gear housing 12a and / or the housing 12b of the steering gear component is designed as a single-component plastic cover 14. The cover 14 of the steering gear housing 12a and / or the housing 12b of the steering gear component further has a circumferential centering collar 18 with a circular, oval, and / or angular geometry.

[0047] The dry adhesive 16 is applied to the centering collar 18, in particular to a radial outer side of the centering collar, in order to develop an optimal sealing and fastening effect.

[0048] The dry adhesive 16 is further designed to close a sealing gap 20 formed between the steering gear housing 12a and / or the housing 12b of the steering gear component and the cover 14 of the steering gear housing 12a and / or the housing 12b of the steering gear component.

[0049] The dry adhesive 16 is preferably formed by a coating provided on a surface of the steering gear housing 12a and / or the housing 12b of the steering gear component, as well as the cover 14 of the steering gear housing 12a and / or the housing 12b of the steering gear component. Alternatively, the dry adhesive 16 can be formed, for example, by a double-sided adhesive carrier.

[0050] The housing 12b of the steering gear component is a sensor housing, a servo housing, and / or a housing 12b of an electric motor / gearbox unit. The cover 14 of the housing 12b of the steering gear component is a sensor cover, a servo cover, and / or a cover of the electric motor / gearbox unit.

[0051] The cover 14 of the steering gear housing 12a is also a closure cover, a closure plug, an adjusting screw and / or a bellows.

[0052] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a steering system for a motor vehicle according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. The steering system 1 comprises a steering shaft 2 driven by a steering wheel 2a and a steering gear 10 operatively connected to the steering shaft 2. The steering gear 10 is further connected to corresponding wheels 4, 5 to be steered.

[0053] Fig.3 shows a flowchart of a method for attaching a housing cover 14 to a housing of a steering gear for a steering system of a motor vehicle according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0054] The method comprises providing S1 a steering gear housing 12a and / or a housing of a steering gear component and providing S2 a cover 14 of the steering gear housing 12a and / or the housing 12b of the steering gear component.

[0055] The method further comprises applying S3a a pressure-sensitive dry adhesive 16 to the steering gear housing 12a, the housing 12b of the steering gear component, the cover 14 of the steering gear housing 12a and / or the housing 12b of the steering gear component or providing S3b the cover 14 of the steering gear housing 12a, the housing 12b of the steering gear component, the cover 14 of the steering gear housing 12a and / or the housing 12b of the steering gear component with a pre-applied, pressure-sensitive dry adhesive 16.

[0056] The method further comprises activating S4 the dry adhesive 16 by pressing the cover 14 of the steering gear housing 12a against the steering gear housing 12a or pressing the cover 14 of the housing 12b of the steering gear component against the housing 12b of a steering gear component and curing S5 the activated dry adhesive 16. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 0241691 A2

[0002]

Claims

[1] Steering gear (10) for a steering system (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising a steering gear housing (12a) and / or a housing (12b) of a steering gear component; a cover (14) of the steering gear housing (12a) and / or the housing (12b) of the steering gear component, wherein the steering gear housing (12a) and / or the housing (12b) of the steering gear component are joined to the cover (14) of the steering gear housing (12a) and / or to the housing (12b) of the steering gear component using a pressure-sensitive dry adhesive (16). [2] Steering gear according to claim 1, wherein the cover (14) of the steering gear housing (12a) and / or the housing (12b) of the steering gear component is designed as a one-component plastic cover (14). [3] Steering gear according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover (14) of the steering gear housing (12a) and / or the housing (12b) of the steering gear component has a circumferential centering collar (18) with a circular, oval and / or angular geometry. [4] Steering gear according to claim 3, wherein the dry adhesive (16) is applied to the centering collar, in particular to a radial outer side of the centering collar (18). [5] Steering gear according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the dry adhesive (16) is designed to close a sealing gap (20) formed between the steering gear housing (12a) and / or the housing (12b) of the steering gear component and the cover (14) of the steering gear housing (12a) and / or the housing (12b) of the steering gear component. [6] Steering gear according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the dry adhesive (16) is formed by a double-sided adhesive carrier. [7] Steering gear according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (12b) of the steering gear component is a sensor housing, a servo housing and / or a housing (12b) of an electric motor / gear unit, and wherein the cover (14) of the housing (12b) of the steering gear component is a sensor cover, a servo cover and / or a cover of the electric motor / gear unit. [8] Steering gear according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (14) of the steering gear housing (12a) is a closure cover, a closure plug, an adjusting screw and / or a bellows. [9] Steering system (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering shaft (2) drivable by a steering wheel (2a); and a steering gear (10) operatively connected to the steering shaft (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8. [10] Method for attaching a housing cover (14) to a housing of a steering gear for a steering system of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps: Providing (S1) a steering gear housing (12a) and / or a housing of a steering gear component; Providing (S2) a cover (14) of the steering gear housing (12a) and / or the housing (12b) of the steering gear component; Applying (S3a) a pressure-sensitive dry adhesive (16) to the steering gear housing (12a), the housing (12b) of the steering gear component, the cover (14) of the steering gear housing (12a) and / or the housing (12b) of the steering gear component or providing (S3b) the cover (14) of the steering gear housing (12a), the housing (12b) of the steering gear component, the cover (14) of the steering gear housing (12a) and / or the housing (12b) of the steering gear component with a pre-applied, pressure-sensitive dry adhesive (16); Activating (S4) the dry adhesive (16) by pressing the cover (14) of the steering gear housing (12a) onto the steering gear housing (12a) or pressing the cover (14) of the housing (12b) of the steering gear component onto the housing (12b) of a steering gear component; and Curing (S5) of the activated dry adhesive (16).

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