Plastic-Coated Adjustment Screw Threads for Quiet Crash Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustment assemblies in motor vehicles face challenges in achieving quiet operation without lubrication, while also being able to absorb axial forces during crashes, and require significant installation space and complex manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A plastic coating covering more than 50% of the screw thread is used to separate functional and strength elements radially, reducing friction and noise, and a method involving a receiving body with defined gaps and plastic introduction ensures efficient and cost-effective production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If adjustment parts are made of plastic, then noise during operation is reduced, but crash resistance is insufficient due to plastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies a plastic coating on metal screw threads, creating a composite structure where the metal substrate provides crash resistance while the plastic coating reduces operational noise. This combines the advantages of both materials without their individual disadvantages.
2Strength
If adjustment parts are made of steel, then crash resistance is improved, but noise during operation increases due to metal-on-metal contact
Solution Approach 1:
The metal screw threads are coated with plastic, creating a composite structure where the metal substrate provides crash resistance while the plastic coating reduces operational noise. This combines the advantages of both materials without their individual disadvantages.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a hybrid spindle nut with axial separation of functional and strength parts is used, then noise is reduced and crash resistance is improved, but device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functional part (plastic coating) and strength part (metal substrate) into a single integrated screw thread structure, eliminating the need for separate hybrid components with axial separation. This reduces structural complexity and installation space while maintaining noise reduction and crash resistance benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging functional and strength parts axially next to each other (one dimension), the invention applies the plastic coating radially on the metal substrate, utilizing the radial dimension. This dimensional change integrates both functions into a single compact structure.
4Ease of manufacture
If plastic coating covers less than 50% of the screw thread, then manufacturing is simpler, but accidental contact between uncovered thread portions causes noise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention specifies that the plastic coating should cover more than 50% of the screw thread length, changing the coverage parameter from partial to majority coverage. This ensures that accidental contact between uncovered metal thread portions is prevented, eliminating noise while remaining manufacturable.
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 achieves reduced friction and noise, improved wear resistance, and compact design with enhanced crash resistance, while maintaining efficient operation and simplified manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
Plastic, on the other hand, can enable low noise operation even without lubricants.
Implementation Method 2
In the event of a crash, plastic can be deformed, such that the adjustment assembly may no longer be usable after a crash.
Data Source
AI summary
It is provided an adjustment assembly for an adjustment drive of a motor vehicle, having a first adjustment part having a first screw thread, and a second adjustment part having a second screw thread, which is in engagement with the first screw thread, wherein at least one of the screw threads has a plastic coating. The plastic coating covers more than 50% of the at least one screw thread.