Ball Screw Leveling Assembly With Self-Aligning Bearing Pivot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle level adjustment devices with ball screws face issues with tension and tilting torques that can reduce efficiency and service life, particularly due to the interaction between the threaded spindle and spindle nut.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of axial self-aligning bearings allows the spindle nut and threaded spindle to pivot relative to the housing, avoiding tensions and tilting torques by enabling a tension-free pivotability, with a common pivot point and restricted pivot angle, and utilizing a pretensioning element to maintain defined bearing alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If axial self-aligning bearings are implemented to allow pivotability, then tensions and tilting torques are avoided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Axial self-aligning bearings are introduced as intermediary elements between the threaded spindle and the housing to mediate the mechanical connection. These bearings enable relative pivoting movement while maintaining the load-bearing function, thereby eliminating tensions and tilting torques that would otherwise directly affect the ball screw assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing arrangement is designed to be dynamically adaptable, allowing the threaded spindle and spindle nut assembly to pivot relative to the housing within a defined angle range. This dynamic capability enables the system to accommodate misalignments and maintain tension-free operation during level adjustment.
2Productivity
If a common pivot point is established for tension-free pivotability, then ball screw efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The axial self-aligning bearings are designed with asymmetric internal geometry that enables them to self-align to a common pivot point. The bearing structure incorporates specific curvature radii and rolling element arrangements that naturally guide the assembly to converge at a defined pivot point, reducing the need for high-precision external alignment features.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing design utilizes spherical or curved surfaces to establish the pivot point geometry. The self-aligning mechanism employs curved raceways and rolling elements that naturally导向 to a common spherical pivot point, allowing the assembly to pivot smoothly while maintaining ball screw efficiency.
3Reliability
If pivot angle is restricted to maintain tension-free state, then service life is improved, but adaptability to different operating conditions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot angle is restricted to a partial range that is sufficient to eliminate tensions and tilting torques under normal operating conditions. This restricted but adequate pivot capability maintains the tension-free state required for long service life while covering the necessary adjustment range for typical vehicle level control applications.
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
This solution enhances the efficiency of the ball screw and level adjustment device by preventing tilting torques and maintaining a tension-free state, thereby improving the service life and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Two axial self-aligning bearings are provided for mounting of the spindle nut in the housing. At least one of these axial self-aligning bearings is arranged in the flow of force between the threaded spindle and the housing.
Implementation Method 2
A device for level adjustment for a motor vehicle which operates with a ball screw has a nut as well as a spindle which interacts with it via rolling bodies
Implementation Method 3
a ball screw which has a threaded spindle, a spindle nut, as well as rolling bodies which roll between the threaded spindle and the spindle nut
Data Source
AI summary
A device for level adjustment for a motor vehicle includes a ball screw. The screw nut of the ball screw is driven by an electric motor. The spindle of the ball screw is displaceable with respect to a housing. The ball screw is supported with respect to the housing using two axial self-aligning bearings with a common pivot point such that the housing can pivot with respect to the spindle, thereby avoiding loads on the balls of the ball screw.