Slide guide device with backlash compensation for vehicle steering

Abstract

A slide guide device with backlash compensation for vehicle steering, comprising at least one connecting rod, at least one slide, a guide device for receiving the slide, and at least one connecting bolt, wherein the connecting bolt is rigidly connected to the connecting rod on one side and to the slide on the other, characterized in that at least one radial rubber ring is arranged radially on the connecting bolt, which serves for radial backlash compensation between the connecting bolt and the slide; and at least one axial rubber ring is arranged axially on the connecting bolt, which serves for axial backlash compensation between the connecting bolt and the slide.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present utility model belongs to the technical field of vehicle chassis and relates to a slide guide device with backlash compensation for vehicle steering. State of the art

[0002] Existing guide mechanisms with slides exist in various designs. In one design, the slide is rigidly connected to a connecting rod. The lack of relative movement, as well as play in the device due to tolerances, leads to uneven wear. Furthermore, the play between the slide and the guide mechanism, also caused by tolerances, easily leads to noise. This can only be remedied by increasing manufacturing precision to reduce the play. However, some play still remains, and the manufacturing costs are disproportionately high. In another design, the slide is pivotally connected to a connecting bolt. Some mechanisms incorporate a rubber ring radially attached to the bolt to compensate for radial play.However, due to the articulated connection, manufacturing tolerances always result in some play between the inner bore of the slide and the outer surface of the connecting bolt. This leads to axial movement of the slide along the bolt, which in turn causes noise and unwanted wear. Content of the utility model

[0003] The purpose of the present utility model is to provide a slide guide device with backlash compensation for vehicle steering in order to reduce uneven wear and optimize the noise problem.

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solutions: A slide guide device with backlash compensation for vehicle steering comprises at least one connecting rod, at least one slide, a guide device for receiving the slide, and at least one connecting bolt, wherein the connecting bolt is rigidly connected to the connecting rod on one side and to the slide on the other, characterized in that at least one radial rubber ring is arranged radially on the connecting bolt, which serves for radial backlash compensation between the connecting bolt and the slide; and at least one axial rubber ring is arranged axially on the connecting bolt, which serves for axial backlash compensation between the connecting bolt and the slide.

[0005] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present utility model, a bolt receiving bore matching the connecting bolt is formed on the connecting rod and a first contact surface is formed in the area of ​​the opening of the bolt receiving bore, wherein the lower end of the axial rubber ring rests on the first contact surface, so that a clearance fit is formed between the slide and the first contact surface.

[0006] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present utility model, the connecting bolt has a bolt contact surface and a thread force-absorbing surface, and a channel for receiving the connecting bolt is formed in the slide, wherein a second contact surface is formed on the inner wall of the channel, which is compatible with the bolt contact surface. When the connecting bolt is installed in the bolt receiving bore and when the thread force-absorbing surface comes into contact with the first contact surface, the axial rubber ring exerts an axial pressure on the slide, so that the bolt contact surface bears against the second contact surface.

[0007] As a further improvement to an embodiment of the present utility model, the bolt contact surface and the thread force absorption surface are parallel to each other and both are arranged perpendicular to the central axis of the connecting bolt. As a further improvement to an embodiment of the present utility model, a first annular groove is formed at the lower end of the slide. The axial rubber ring is arranged in the first annular groove, and the lower end of the axial rubber ring is free outside the slide and comes into contact with the first contact surface.

[0008] As a further improvement to an embodiment of the present utility model, at least a second annular groove is formed circumferentially on the connecting bolt. The radial rubber ring is arranged in the second annular groove, and one end of the radial rubber ring is free outside the connecting bolt, so that the radial rubber ring can exert radial pressure between the inner wall of the channel and the connecting bolt.

[0009] As a further improvement to an embodiment of the present utility model, the slide is composed of a first partial slide and a second partial slide. Axially arranged slide recesses are formed on the first partial slide, and projecting slide pins, which fit the slide recesses, are formed on the second partial slide. During assembly, the projecting slide pins are inserted into the slide recesses to prevent axial movement of the first and second partial slides along the connecting bolt, while simultaneously maintaining freedom of movement in the radial direction. Together with the radial rubber ring, this achieves radial backlash compensation.

[0010] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present utility model, the guide device includes a guide groove. Slide projections are formed on the slide adjacent to the groove wall of the guide groove. The slide projections cooperate with the guide device to ensure friction and guidance, thus preventing the phenomenon of uneven wear caused by large-area contact.

[0011] As a further improvement to an embodiment of the present utility model, at least one directional groove, which serves to receive oil and thus forms an oil receiving basin, is provided on the slide. The oil in the oil receiving basin can lubricate the groove wall of the guide groove, reduce friction during the movement of the slide in the guide groove, and lower the noise during operation of the slide.

[0012] As a further improvement to an embodiment of the present utility model, a carriage locking groove, which serves to mount an induction blade device, is formed on the carriage. This induction blade device can be used together with an eddy current sensor.

[0013] The application of the aforementioned technical solutions achieves the following advantageous effects: The arrangement of rubber rings in the radial and axial directions for play compensation ensures a play-free fixation of the slide in both axial and radial directions. This eliminates the play that occurs with a direct fixation of the slide or a articulated slide. Consequently, the phenomenon of uneven wear of the slide, which is caused by axial and radial play, is reduced, and its noise characteristics are simultaneously optimized. Description of the attached drawings

[0014] To more clearly explain the embodiments of the present utility model or the prior art technical solutions, the drawings necessary for describing the embodiments or the prior art are briefly presented below. Obviously, the drawings included in the following description are merely examples. A person skilled in the art in the respective field can derive further drawings from the provided drawings without any inventive step.

[0015] Structures, proportions, dimensions, and the like depicted in this description serve only to illustrate the disclosed content of the description and thus facilitate understanding by the person skilled in the art. They are not intended to restrict the realization conditions of the present utility model and therefore have no substantial technical significance. Any modification of the structure, change of the proportions, or adjustment of the size remains within the scope of the technical content disclosed in the present utility model, provided that this does not impair the effects and the objective achievable by the present utility model. Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the structure of the present utility model in a first state. Fig. 2 is a top view of Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the assembly of a slide and a connecting bolt of the present utility model. Fig. Figure 4 is a sectional view of the assembly of the slide and the connecting bolt on a connecting rod of the present utility model. Fig. Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the connecting rod in Fig. 4. Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic representation of the connecting bolt in Fig. 4. Fig. Figure 7 is a schematic representation of the sled in Fig. 4.

[0016] In the characters: 1-Connecting rod; 11-Bolt receiving hole; 12-First contact surface; 2-sled; 21-second contact surface; 22-first annular groove; 23-slide recess; 24-projecting slide pin; 25-slide shoulder; 26-oil intake tray; 27-slide locking groove; 28-channel; 3-guide device; 4 connecting bolts; 41-Bolt contact surface; 42-Thread force absorption surface; 43-Second ring groove; 5-radial rubber ring; 6-axial rubber ring; 7-first partial slide; and 8-second partial slide. Examples of implementation

[0017] It should be noted that the embodiments in this utility model and the features of the embodiments can be combined with one another, provided no conflicts arise. The present utility model is explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with the embodiments.

[0018] It should be noted that all technical and scientific terms used in the present utility model, unless otherwise specified, have the same meanings as they would normally be understood by an average person skilled in the technology field to which the present utility model belongs.

[0019] In the present utility model, the directional terms used, such as "top," "bottom," "upper side," and "lower side," normally refer to the direction shown in the drawings, unless otherwise specified, or to the components themselves in a vertical, perpendicular direction or in the direction of gravity. Similarly, "inside" and "outside" are used for the sake of clarity and description, denoting the interior and exterior relative to the outline of each component itself. However, the aforementioned directional terms are not intended to limit the present utility model. Example of implementation

[0020] As in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. Figure 7 shows a sliding guide device with backlash compensation for vehicle steering, comprising a connecting rod 1, a sliding 2, a guide device 3 for receiving the sliding 2, and a connecting bolt 4. The connecting rod 1 serves as an important connecting element for the entire device and transmits the steering force. The guide device 3 provides space for the sliding 2 to be received and slide, ensuring that the sliding 2 can move stably along a predefined path.

[0021] The connecting bolt 4 is the key element for connecting the slide 2 to the connecting rod 1. It is rigidly connected to the connecting rod 1 on one side and to the slide 2 on the other, thus realizing the connection between the slide 2 and the connecting rod 1.

[0022] To compensate for the radial play between the slide 2 and the connecting bolt 4, at least one radial rubber ring 5 is arranged radially on the connecting bolt 4. The radial rubber ring 5 can be designed as an O-ring rubber ring, the material of which has good elasticity and abrasion resistance and can conform tightly to the point of radial play between the connecting bolt 4 and the slide 2 in order to effectively eliminate the radial play. Likewise, to compensate for the axial play, at least one axial rubber ring 6 is arranged axially on the connecting bolt 4. The axial rubber ring 6 can be designed as an O-ring rubber ring and is mounted on the connecting bolt 4 by a press fit or similar method, being in close contact with the end face of the slide 2 to achieve the compensation of the axial play.

[0023] The arrangement of rubber rings for play compensation in the radial and axial directions achieves a backlash-free fixation of the slide 2 in both axial and radial directions. This design avoids the backlash problems that occur with directly fixed or articulated slides, significantly reduces the phenomenon of uneven wear of the slide 2 caused by axial and radial play, extends the service life of the slide 2, improves the steering accuracy of the entire device, and provides a strong guarantee for the stability and reliability of the vehicle steering.

[0024] In detail, as in the Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. As shown in Figure 6, a bolt receiving bore 11 is carefully formed on the connecting rod 1, which is compatible with the connecting bolt 4. The size and shape of the bolt receiving bore 11 are precisely designed to ensure that the connecting bolt 4 can be mounted in it without obstruction and in a stable manner. A first contact surface 12 is formed in the area of ​​the opening of the bolt receiving bore 11, the surface of which is smooth and flat and provides a good contact basis for the assembly and interaction of subsequent components. The axial rubber ring 6 is advantageously arranged at the connection point between the connecting bolt 4 and the connecting rod 1, with its lower end lying close to the first contact surface 12.This arrangement creates a clearance fit between the slide 2 and the first contact surface 12, which ensures that the slide 2 has a certain range of motion and also creates the conditions for the subsequent compensation of the axial play.

[0025] The connecting bolt 4 has a bolt contact surface 41 and a thread force-bearing surface 42. The bolt contact surface 41 is the key area for the tight fit between the connecting bolt 4 and the slide 2, and its surface is precision-machined to ensure the tightness and stability of the fit. The thread force-bearing surface 42, on the other hand, absorbs the force from the connecting rod 1 during the assembly of the connecting bolt 4. A specialized channel 28 for receiving the connecting bolt 4 is formed in the slide 2, and a second contact surface 21, which is compatible with the bolt contact surface 41, is formed on the inner wall of the channel 28. When the connecting bolt 4 is installed in the bolt receiving bore 11 and the thread force-bearing surface 42 comes into tight contact with the first contact surface 12, the axial rubber ring 6 is compressed and thus exerts an axial force on the slide 2.This force causes the bolt contact surface 41 to lie close to the second contact surface 21, thereby achieving effective compensation of the axial play.

[0026] Preferably, the bolt contact surface 41 and the thread force absorption surface 42 are arranged parallel to each other and both perpendicular to the central axis of the connecting bolt 4. This design ensures uniform force absorption of the connecting bolt 4 during assembly, enables better contact between the bolt contact surface 41 and the second contact surface 21, further improves the stability and reliability of the device, and reduces component wear and failures due to backlash. Furthermore, a first annular groove 22 is specifically formed at the lower end of the slide 2. The size and shape of the first annular groove 22 are designed to fit the axial rubber ring 6 and are precisely formed by machining processes to ensure that the axial rubber ring 6 can be stably mounted within it. The axial rubber ring 6 is placed in the first annular groove 22, with its lower end extending freely outside the slide 2.When the device is assembled, the exposed lower end of the axial rubber ring 6 comes into close contact with the first contact surface 12 to achieve effective compensation of the axial play.

[0027] In this embodiment, two secondary annular grooves 43 are formed circumferentially on the connecting bolt 4. These two secondary annular grooves 43 are precisely machined by machining processes such as turning, and their depth and width are designed according to the size of the radial rubber ring 5 to ensure that the radial rubber ring 5 can be precisely embedded therein. The radial rubber ring 5 is placed in the second annular groove 43, with one end of it extending freely outside the connecting bolt 4. When the connecting bolt 4 is installed in the channel in the slide 2, the exposed portion of the radial rubber ring 5 is compressed by the inner wall of the channel, creating radial compression between the inner wall of the channel and the connecting bolt 4 to compensate for radial play.

[0028] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 3, the slide 2 has a split construction and is composed of a first partial slide 7 and a second partial slide 8. The first partial slide 7 has carefully axially arranged slide recesses 23, which are formed and precisely sized by machining processes such as milling. The second partial slide 8 has correspondingly projecting slide pins 24 that fit the slide recesses 23. The shape and size of the projecting slide pins 24 correspond to the slide recesses 23. The first partial slide 7 and the second partial slide 8 are then bolted together to form the slide 2.

[0029] During assembly, the protruding slide pins 24 are embedded in the slide recesses 23. This engagement design effectively prevents axial movement between the first partial slide 7 and the second partial slide 8 along the connecting bolt 4, while simultaneously maintaining freedom of movement in the radial direction in order to compensate for radial play together with the radial rubber ring 5.

[0030] In this embodiment, the guide device 3 mainly comprises a guide groove, the shape and size of which are designed according to the specific requirements of the vehicle steering system. It is typically a groove structure of a specific length and cross-section, the groove wall of which is finely machined and provided with a smooth and flat surface to ensure that the carriage 2 can slide smoothly within it.

[0031] Slide projections 25 are formed on the slide 2, which is adjacent to the groove wall of the guide groove. The slide projections 25 are protruding structures produced by locally thickening the surface of the slide 2 or by special forming processes; in this embodiment, they have a disc-shaped structure. During the sliding of the slide 2, the slide projections 25 interact closely with the groove wall of the guide groove of the guide device 3 and perform the main functions of friction and guidance. This design avoids large-area contact between the slide 2 and the guide groove, thus effectively preventing the phenomenon of uneven wear caused by large-area contact and extending the service life of the slide 2 and the guide device 3.

[0032] The slide 2 has at least one directional groove for oil intake, forming an oil intake basin 26. The directional grooves can be produced on the surface of the slide 2 by processes such as milling or laser engraving, and their depth and width are optimized according to the requirements for oil quantity and lubrication. During the movement of the slide 2, the oil in the oil intake basin 26 can be evenly distributed onto the groove wall of the guide groove to form a lubricating layer. This reduces friction when the slide 2 moves within the guide groove, lowers noise during operation, and makes the sliding of the slide 2 more stable. Furthermore, the slide 2 has a slide locking groove 27 for mounting an induction blade device.The shape and size of the carriage locking groove 27 are compatible with the induction blade device, and the induction blade device is stably mounted to the carriage 2 by a snap-fit ​​connection. This induction blade device can be used together with an eddy current sensor; when the carriage 2 moves, the position of the induction blade device changes, and the eddy current sensor can detect this change in real time and transmit the signal to the control unit of the vehicle steering system to enable precise monitoring and control of the position of the carriage 2.

[0033] The slide guide device provided in the present utility model achieves backlash-free fixation of the slide 2 in the axial and radial directions by separately arranging rubber ring backlash compensation structures on the connecting bolt 4 in the radial and axial directions. Compared to direct fixation of the slide, backlash problems resulting from machining errors, lack of assembly, or similar issues are avoided; compared to articulated slide designs, backlash caused by wear is also eliminated.

[0034] This backlash-free fixing design effectively reduces the phenomenon of uneven wear of the slide 2, which is caused by axial and radial play. During vehicle steering, the slide can glide more stably and precisely along the guide device, and the risk of component damage caused by uneven wear is reduced. Simultaneously, the slide glides more stably and smoothly, which reduces friction and collisions between the slide and the guide device, thus optimizing the noise characteristics of the device during operation and providing a quieter and more reliable operating environment for the vehicle steering system. Obviously, the embodiments described above are only a subset of the embodiments of this utility model, not all of them.Based on the embodiments in the present utility model, all further embodiments that an average person skilled in the art in the field obtains without inventive activity shall fall within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0035] It should be noted that the terms used here serve solely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present utility model. As used here, the singular form is intended to include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "contain" and / or "comprise" are used in this description, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, parts, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0036] It should be explained that terms such as "first" and "second" in the description, claims, and the aforementioned drawings of this utility model serve to distinguish similar objects from one another and are not necessarily intended to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way are interchangeable under suitable circumstances, so that the embodiments of this utility model described herein may be carried out in a different order than that shown or described here.

[0037] The foregoing description merely presents preferred embodiments of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the scope of the present utility model. For those skilled in the art, there are various modifications and variations of the present utility model. All modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model are intended to be included within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

Images