Elastomeric Support for Radially Mobile Steering Bearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steering system transmissions with radially movable floating bearings face noise issues due to lateral play and wear compensation challenges, particularly when the direction of rotation changes, which existing designs fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A radially movable floating bearing with a support element made of elastomeric material is inserted between the outer ring and the transmission housing, allowing the bearing to be supported without metallic contact, using elastomeric behavior to transmit tension and pressure, and featuring a pivot bearing design with structural reinforcement to prevent relaxation and enhance noise damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lateral play is provided between the outer ring of the floating bearing and the receptacle to enable low-friction adjustment, then the bearing can move freely to compensate for wear, but noise occurs when the direction of rotation changes due to metallic contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elastomeric support element as an intermediary between the outer ring of the floating bearing and the receptacle in the transmission housing. This elastomeric material acts as a mediator that eliminates direct metallic contact while still providing the necessary support and wear compensation functionality, thereby resolving the noise issue without sacrificing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the support structure from metallic to elastomeric. This parameter change allows the support element to provide both mechanical support and noise damping through its elastomeric properties, transforming the interaction between the bearing and housing to eliminate noise while maintaining functional performance
2Reliability
If a complex bushing design with outer ring and inner ring is used to support the floating bearing, then the bearing can be securely mounted, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support element and the inner ring into a single integrally molded component. This combining of previously separate parts simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of components and assembly steps, while still providing the necessary structural support for the floating bearing through the integrated design
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 enables low-noise operation throughout the transmission's service life by effectively compensating for wear and reducing noise through elastomeric support and structural reinforcement, suitable for both worm gear and rack and pinion systems in electric power steering systems.
Implementation Method 1
a support element made of a material with elastomeric properties is inserted between the outer ring and a mount in the transmission housing... supported and held in particular transversely to its degree of freedom exclusively with the aid of the support element made of the material with elastomeric behavior and which transmits tension and pressure
Implementation Method 2
enables low-noise operation throughout the transmission's service life by effectively compensating for wear and reducing noise through elastomeric support and structural reinforcement
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a radially mobile bearing (1) for a shaft (2) pertaining to a gearbox (3) of a steering system, said bearing comprising a bush or outer ring (4) that is supported in a receiving element (5) of a mount (6) or housing of the gearbox (3). The aim of the invention is to create a radially flexible mobile bearing (1) for a shaft (2) pertaining to a gearbox (3) of a steering system, which enables a quiet operation over the entire service life of the gearbox (3). To this end, the outer ring (4) or the bush is held by at least one supporting element (8) which consists of a material with an elastomer behaviour and is inserted into a gap (7) between the receiving element (5) and the outer ring (4).