Rack-Pinion Backlash Setting by Gearbox-Side Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for adjusting backlash between a pinion and a rack in rack-pinion drives are cumbersome and require manual effort, especially when dealing with bulky or heavy assemblies, and often result in larger-than-necessary backlash due to the need to find the highest points of the rack and pinion.
Innovation Solution
A process that involves positioning the motor-gearbox assembly in multiple radial positions along the rack, measuring circumferential backlash at each position, determining the minimal backlash, and adjusting the radial distance based on these measurements to achieve optimal alignment without the need to find the highest points, allowing for manual or automated adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the highest points of the rack and pinion are found and used for adjustment, then the backlash can be minimized at that specific configuration, but the adjustment process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and marking the highest points on the rack and pinion during manufacturing. These markings serve as guides for the adjustment process, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual identification of highest points during installation or maintenance. The adjustment can be performed by simply aligning the marked positions.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual methods are used to find and adjust the highest points, then backlash can be reduced at specific positions, but the process requires considerable manual effort especially with heavy or bulky assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection and adjustment methods with a systematic approach using pre-marked highest points and measurement devices. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to manually manipulate heavy assemblies to find highest points, reducing physical effort while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces measurement devices as intermediaries to objectively determine and verify the highest points and backlash values. These devices mediate between the operator and the mechanical components, providing precise measurements without requiring direct manual manipulation of heavy assemblies.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a process for the adjustment of backlash between a pinon (20) and a rack (10) in a rack-pinion drive, a motor-gearbox assembly (30) including a motor and a gearbox is supported on a carrier (40) via a positioning mechanism (42) for precisely positioning the assembly (30) in a radial position relative to the rack (10). In the process, the assembly (30) is positioned in a first radial distance relative to the rack (10), using the positioning mechanism (42) and a first circumferential backlash between the pinon (20) and the rack (10) is determined at a first position of the pinion (20) along the rack (10), based on measurements taken on an input side of the gearbox. Then, the assembly (30) and/or the rack (10) are positioned in a second position of the pinion (20) along the rack (10), different from the first position, and a second circumferential backlash between the pinon (20) and the rack (10) is determined at the second position, based on measurements taken on the input side of the gearbox. A minimal circumferential backlash is determined from the determined first circumferential backlash and the determined second circumferential backlash (and possibly further measurements), and a radial adjustment distance is determined based on the determined minimal circumferential backlash. Finally, the motor- gearbox assembly (30) is repositioned in a radial direction, towards the rack (10), by the determined radial adjustment distance, using the positioning mechanism (42).