Radially Mobile Floating Bearing Damping Stop Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radially movable floating bearings in steering system transmissions suffer from noise issues due to wear and misalignment between driving and driven wheels, particularly when the direction of rotation changes, and existing solutions like elastic coupling layers are complex and ineffective in compensating for wear.
Innovation Solution
A radially movable floating bearing with a damping stop arranged tangentially at a radial distance from the inner ring, which interacts with a circumferential surface bead to prevent noise, using elastomeric material for both the pivot bearing and damping stop, and optionally a dovetail guide for secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a radially movable floating bearing is used to allow shaft rotation and compensate for wear, then the steering system can accommodate directional changes, but noise is generated when the inner ring hits the receptacle during operation
Solution Approach 1:
A damping stop made of elastomeric material is introduced as an intermediary element between the inner ring and the receptacle. This damping stop absorbs impact energy and prevents direct contact between the inner ring and receptacle, thereby eliminating noise while preserving the radial movement capability of the floating bearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping stop is designed with specific elastomeric material properties and geometric parameters (radial distance from inner ring, circumferential position) that allow it to deform under impact loads. By changing the material parameters and dimensional parameters of the damping stop, the system achieves noise reduction while maintaining the necessary mechanical functionality.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the damping stop is positioned close to the inner ring to prevent noise, then impact noise is reduced, but the load capacity and ease of swiveling may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The damping stop is positioned at a specific local position on the receptacle - at a radial distance from the inner ring and arranged tangentially along a circumferential section. This localized placement ensures that the damping function is activated only when needed (during impact conditions) while leaving the majority of the bearing's load-bearing path unaffected, thus preserving load capacity and swiveling ease.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If an elastic coupling layer is used to reduce noise from toothing, then noise is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases and wear compensation becomes ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The damping stop is designed as a simple, easily manufactured elastomeric component that can be produced cost-effectively. Rather than using complex elastic coupling layers, the damping stop provides a simple, disposable-like solution that is easy to manufacture and replace, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity while effectively addressing noise issues.
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 effectively reduces noise and maintains high load capacity by ensuring precise alignment and damping of transverse forces during operation, with the damping stop maintaining a controlled radial distance from the inner ring to prevent impact noise.
Implementation Method 1
a radially movable floating bearing with a damping stop arranged tangentially at a radial distance from the inner ring, which interacts with a circumferential surface bead to prevent noise
Implementation Method 2
using elastomeric material for both the pivot bearing and damping stop
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a radially mobile floating bearing (1) for a shaft (2) of a gear (3) of a steering system, with a bushing or an inner ring (4) or a rolling bearing (18), which is supported in a seat (5) of a frame (6) or housing of the gear (3), wherein the inner ring (4) or the bushing or the rolling bearing (18) is held by at least one support element (8) made of material having elastomer properties inserted into a gap (7) between the seat (5) and the inner ring (4), which is designed as pivot bearing (9). In order to provide a radially mobile floating bearing for a shaft of a gear of a steering system, which is low-noise, easily pivotable and highly loadable, it is provided that the pivot bearing (9) cooperates with a damping stop at a tangential distance from the latter (10), which is arranged at a radial distance (a) from the inner ring (4) or the seat (5).