Steering column bearing assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a steering column bearing assembly and, more specifically, to a steering column bearing assembly, which can reduce noise and block the inflow of foreign material. The steering column bearing assembly according to the present invention comprises a bearing, an outer mold part, an inner mold part and a sealing means. The outer mold part has an outer ring of the bearing fixedly mounted therein, and is inserted into and fixed to a housing of the steering column. The inner mold part has an inner ring of the bearing fixedly mounted therein, and has a shaft of the steering column inserted therein. The sealing means includes: a reinforcing frame having a wall part inserted into and supported by the inner circumference of the inner mold part, and a flange part protruding from the wall part in the radial direction; and a sealing member which is elastic such that one side thereof is coupled to the flange part and the other side thereof can come into close contact with the shaft. According to the present invention, a gap between the inner mold part of the sealing means and the shaft is sealed so that the release of noise generated in the steering column can be reduced. In addition, according to the present invention, an elastic ring presses the sealing member and causes same to come into close contact with the shaft. Therefore, the inflow of foreign material can be blocked, and sliding force of the bearing assembly can be suitably maintained.

Description

Bearing assembly for steering column

[0001] The present invention relates to a bearing assembly for a steering column, and more particularly, to a bearing assembly for a steering column capable of reducing noise and blocking the inflow of foreign substances.

[0002] The steering column transmits the rotational motion of the steering wheel when the driver turns it. To facilitate this rotational motion, bearing assemblies are required at the upper and lower portions of the steering column.

[0003] This bearing assembly for a steering column comprises a bearing, an outer mold portion that surrounds the outer ring of the bearing and supports a housing, and an inner mold portion that surrounds the inner ring of the bearing and supports a shaft. The bearing assembly facilitates the rotation of the steering column and enables smooth and precise steering wheel operation. Meanwhile, since vibrations and shocks generated during vehicle operation are transmitted to the bearing assembly, the bearing assembly is required to have wear resistance that can withstand friction and reduce vibration and noise.

[0004] Patent No. 10-2106012 (registration date: April 23, 2020)

[0005] Patent Registration No. 10-0807052 (registration date: February 18, 2008)

[0006] Patent No. 10-2161860 (registration date: September 24, 2020)

[0007] Conventional bearing assemblies for steering columns failed to reduce noise generation and were poor at preventing foreign matter from entering and preventing sliding.

[0008] The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a steering bearing assembly capable of reducing noise, blocking the inflow of foreign substances, and maintaining appropriate wettability.

[0009] A bearing assembly for a steering column according to the present invention comprises a bearing, an outer mold portion, an inner mold portion, and a sealing means. The outer mold portion has an outer ring of the bearing fixedly mounted thereon, and is inserted and fixed into a housing of a steering column. The inner mold portion has an inner ring of the bearing fixedly mounted thereon, and a shaft of the steering column is inserted therein. The sealing means comprises a reinforcing ring having a wall portion that is fitted and supported by the inner diameter of the inner mold portion, and a flange portion that protrudes radially from the wall portion, and a sealing material that is elastic and is coupled to the flange portion on one side and can be in close contact with the shaft on the other side.

[0010] In addition, in the bearing assembly for the above steering column, it is preferable that the sealing means further include an elastic ring that surrounds the seal material to pressurize and seal the shaft with the seal material.

[0011] In addition, in the bearing assembly for the steering column described above, it is preferable that the inner mold part has a bearing support, a sealing receiving portion, and a plurality of restraining projections. The bearing support portion restrains the inner ring of the bearing in the axial direction and supports the inner surface of the inner ring on the outer surface. The sealing receiving portion extends from one end of the bearing support portion so as to axially support one end of the sealing means and receive the outer surface of the sealing means. The restraining projection can elastically expand in the radial direction so as to insert the sealing means into the bearing support portion, and protrudes axially from one end of the sealing receiving portion so as to support the other end of the sealing means in the axial direction, and is formed along the circumferential direction of the sealing receiving portion.

[0012] According to the present invention, the noise generated from the steering column can be reduced by sealing the space between the inner mold portion of the sealing means and the shaft.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the elastic ring pressurizes the seal material to adhere it to the shaft. This not only prevents foreign matter from entering, but also appropriately maintains the lubrication of the bearing assembly.

[0014] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a bearing assembly for a steering column according to the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram of the embodiment of Figure 1 mounted on a steering column;

[0016] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1.

[0017] 1: Housing 3: Shaft

[0018] 10: Bearing 11: Inner ring

[0019] 13: Outer ring 15: Ball

[0020] 20: Out mold part 30: Inner mold part

[0021] 31: Bearing support part 33: Sealing receiving part

[0022] 35: restraint projection 40: sealing means

[0023] 41: Reinforcement frame 42: Wall

[0024] 44: Flange part 45: Seal material

[0025] 47: Elastic ring

[0026] One embodiment of a bearing assembly for a steering column according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0027] A bearing assembly for a steering column according to the present invention includes a bearing (10), an outer mold part (20), an inner mold part (30), and a sealing means (40).

[0028] The bearing (10) has an inner ring (11), an outer ring (13), and a ball (15).

[0029] The outer ring (13) of the bearing (10) is fixedly mounted in the out-mold part (20), and is inserted and fixed into the housing (1) of the steering column.

[0030] The inner mold part (30) is fixedly mounted with the inner ring (11) of the bearing (10), and the shaft (3) of the steering column is inserted. At this time, the inner mold part (30) is provided with a bearing support part (31), a sealing receiving part (33), and a plurality of restraining projections (35).

[0031] The bearing support (31) axially restrains the inner ring (11) of the bearing (10) and its outer surface supports the inner surface of the inner ring (11). Thus, the bearing (10) is fixed by the bearing support (31). The sealing receiving portion (33) extends axially from one end of the bearing support portion (31). At this time, it extends so as to support one end of the axial direction of the sealing means (40) in the axial direction and receive the outer surface of the sealing means (40). Thus, the sealing means (40) can be inserted into the sealing receiving portion (33). The restraining projection (35) prevents the sealing means (40) from being separated from the inner mold portion (30). To this end, the restraining projection (35) protrudes axially from one end of the sealing receiving portion (33) so as to support the other end of the axial direction of the sealing means (40). At this time, the restraining protrusion (35) is formed to be elastically expandable in the radial direction so that the sealing means (40) can be inserted into the sealing receiving portion (33). A plurality of such restraining protrusions (35) are formed along the circumferential direction of the sealing receiving portion (33).

[0032] The sealing means (40) serves to prevent foreign substances from being inserted between the shaft (3) and the bearing assembly of the present embodiment, maintain appropriate wettability, and reduce noise. To this end, the sealing means (40) is provided with a reinforcing ring (41), a sealing material (45), and an elastic ring (47).

[0033] The reinforcing ring (41) is formed of metal and has a wall portion (42) and a flange portion (44). The wall portion (42) is supported by being fitted into the inner diameter of the inner mold portion (30). More specifically, it is supported by being fitted into the sealing receiving portion (33). The flange portion (44) protrudes radially from the wall portion (42). The sealing material (45) is formed of an elastic material such as rubber, and one side is joined to the flange portion (44) and the other side is formed so as to be in close contact with the shaft (3). Therefore, foreign substances, etc. can be prevented from entering. The elastic ring (47) allows the other side of the sealing material (45) to pressurize and close the shaft (3) so that the bearing assembly of the present embodiment can have an appropriate sliding force with respect to the shaft (3). Therefore, the elastic ring (47) wraps the other side of the sealing material (45) so as to be in close contact with it.

[0034] The bearing assembly for the steering column of the present embodiment comprises a sealing means (40). The sealing material (45) of the sealing material (40) not only contacts the shaft (3), but also an elastic ring (47) presses the sealing material (45). Therefore, foreign substances can be prevented from entering the interior of the steering column, and even if noise is generated, it can be blocked and reduced by the sealing material (45). In addition, since the sealing material (45) presses the shaft (3) by the elastic ring (47), an appropriate sliding force can be maintained.

Claims

1. Bearings and, The outer ring of the above bearing is fixedly mounted and the out-mold part is inserted and fixed into the housing of the steering column, An inner mold part in which the inner ring of the above bearing is fixedly mounted and the shaft of the above steering column is inserted, A bearing assembly for a steering column, characterized in that it includes a reinforcing frame having a wall portion that is supported by being fitted into the inner diameter of the inner mold portion and a flange portion that protrudes radially from the wall portion, and a sealing means having a sealing material that is elastic and is connected to the flange portion on one side and can be pressed against a shaft on the other side.

2. In the first paragraph, the sealing means A bearing assembly for a steering column, characterized in that it further comprises an elastic ring that surrounds the seal material to pressurize and seal the shaft with the seal material.

3. In the second paragraph, the inner mold part A bearing support portion that axially restrains the inner ring of the bearing and supports the inner surface of the inner ring on the outer surface, A sealing receiving portion extended from one end of the bearing support portion so as to axially support one end of the sealing means and accommodate the outer surface of the sealing means; A bearing assembly for a steering column, characterized in that it has a plurality of restraining protrusions formed along the circumference of the sealing receiving portion, the restraining protrusions being elastically expandable in the radial direction so that the sealing means can be inserted into the bearing support portion, and protruding axially from one end of the sealing receiving portion so as to support the other end of the sealing means in the axial direction.

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