Adjustable Pressure Assembly for Steering Box Worm Gear Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing worm gear steering systems experience increased play and steering errors due to region-specific wear patterns between pins and worm gear, leading to hazardous conditions, and conventional adjustment screws fail to provide consistent pressure and protection against screw loosening.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable pressure assembly with a spring body and pressure pin applies constant pressure to the rotating plate opposite the pin engagement, ensuring complete engagement of pins with the worm gear across its range of motion and compensating for uneven wear, while a secondary adjustment screw further controls pressure and secures engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional adjustment screw is tightened to reduce play between pins and worm gear, then steering play is reduced at worn regions, but binding occurs during full turning when non-worn faces contact unworn regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the static conventional adjustment screw with a dynamic spring-loaded pressure assembly. The spring mechanism allows the pressure pin to automatically adjust its position and apply varying pressure throughout the worm gear's rotation cycle, maintaining optimal engagement at worn regions while accommodating clearance at unworn regions during full turning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure parameter from a fixed, manually-adjusted value to a dynamically varying value controlled by spring force. This allows the engagement pressure between pins and worm gear to change automatically based on the rotational position and wear conditions, resolving the contradiction between reducing play at worn regions and maintaining full turning capability.
2Reliability
If conventional adjustment screws are used, then some play can be reduced, but they fail to provide consistent pressure and are susceptible to loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded pressure assembly is designed to be self-regulating and self-adjusting. The spring automatically maintains constant pressure on the rotating plate without requiring external adjustment mechanisms, eliminating the loosening problems associated with conventional adjustment screws while ensuring consistent engagement pressure throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides beforehand cushioning by maintaining pre-loaded pressure on the rotating plate, ensuring that the pins remain consistently engaged with the worm gear throughout their operational range. This preemptive pressure application prevents play and engagement inconsistency before they can occur during steering operations.
3Reliability
If pressure is applied to reduce play at worn regions, then steering control is improved, but pin displacement increases if the adjustment mechanism fails
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded pressure assembly provides beforehand cushioning by maintaining controlled pressure through the spring's elastic properties. In the event of failure, the spring's gradual force distribution and physical constraints prevent sudden or excessive pin displacement, whereas a rigid conventional adjustment screw could allow catastrophic movement if it loosens or fails.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces mechanical clearances and steering play, maintains constant engagement, and minimizes pin displacement in case of screw failure, thereby enhancing steering control and safety by uniformly distributing pressure across varying wear regions.
Implementation Method 1
An adjustable pressure assembly with a spring body and pressure pin applies constant pressure to the rotating plate
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable steering box has a worm gear with a worn region and a less-worn region, and the worm gear is engaged with pins on a rotating plate which is coupled to a steering mechanism. The rotating plate has an engagement position which is secured by an annular contact surface of an adjustable pressure assembly. The center of the annular contact surface has a pressure pin which protrudes and makes pressure contact with the rotating plate, thereby pressing the pins into engagement with the worm gear in worn regions with a pressure which compensates for play caused by worn regions of the worm gear or pins.