Power Steering Ball Nut Bearing for Housing Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Misalignment of individual housings in power steering assemblies leads to binding and increased internal friction in the ball nut assembly, which affects the efficiency of the power steering system.
Innovation Solution
A ball nut assembly with a bearing assembly that includes a housing insert and a polymer bearing between two surfaces, where one surface is concave and the other is convex, allowing for rotation and alignment adjustments to reduce binding and friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If individual housings are joined together to form the power steering assembly housing, then the housing can be manufactured and assembled, but misalignment occurs between the joined housings causing binding in the ball nut assembly
Solution Approach 1:
A bearing assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the housing and the ball nut assembly. This bearing assembly includes a bearing surface that rotates relative to the housing, serving as a mediator that absorbs misalignment between the joined housings and prevents direct transmission of alignment errors to the ball nut assembly, thereby eliminating binding while maintaining ease of housing assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly introduces dynamic capability to the previously static connection between housing and ball nut assembly. The bearing surface is designed to rotate relative to the housing, allowing the system to dynamically adjust and accommodate misalignment between housings, transforming a rigid connection into a flexible, self-adjusting connection that prevents binding
2Reliability
If the ball nut assembly is rigidly fixed to the housing, then positioning is precise, but misalignment causes binding and increased internal friction
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the ball nut assembly and housing is transformed from rigid and static to dynamic and flexible. The bearing assembly allows relative rotation between the bearing surface and housing, enabling the ball nut assembly to dynamically adjust its position and orientation to accommodate housing misalignment, thereby maintaining reliable positioning while eliminating binding and friction
Solution Approach 2:
The degree of freedom of the ball nut assembly is changed by introducing the rotating bearing surface. This parameter change allows the system to transition from a fixed, rigid connection to one with rotational flexibility, enabling the ball nut assembly to adapt to housing misalignment and operate without binding while maintaining stable positioning
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 binding in the ball nut assembly, enhancing the power steering system's efficiency by allowing for proper alignment and reducing friction, thereby improving the linear movement of the steering member.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer bearing is between the first and second surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A power steering assembly has a housing and a ball nut assembly supported on the housing. The ball nut assembly has a ball nut axis. The housing has a first surface between the housing and the ball nut assembly. The ball nut assembly also has a second surface. The second surface rotates on the first surface such that the ball nut assembly rotates relative to the housing on a rotation axis that is transverse to the ball nut axis.