Power Steering Nut Communicating Hole Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing power steering systems that form communicating holes in the housing compromise the strength of the housing, and forming such holes in other components like the nut or bearing can complicate design and affect axle-supporting performance.
Innovation Solution
A power steering system design where the communicating hole is formed in the nut, avoiding regions where balls circulate, allowing communication between chambers without compromising the nut's strength or requiring changes to the bearing's axle-supporting performance, thus maintaining the housing's structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a communicating hole is formed in the housing to allow air passage between chambers, then air communication between chambers is achieved, but the strength of the housing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The communicating hole function is extracted from the housing and transferred to the nut component. The nut includes a through-hole that allows air to pass between the first and second chambers, eliminating the need for a communicating hole in the housing and preserving housing structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The nut acts as an intermediary component that facilitates air communication between chambers. Instead of directly modifying the housing, the nut's through-hole serves as the mediation path for air flow, allowing the housing to maintain its full strength while achieving the desired air passage function.
2Ease of operation
If a communicating hole is formed in the bearing to allow air passage, then air communication is achieved, but the axle-supporting performance of the bearing is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The air communication function is extracted from the bearing and assigned to the nut component. The through-hole in the nut provides the necessary air passage without involving the bearing, thereby preserving the bearing's axle-supporting performance and avoiding any compromise to its reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the communicating hole is formed in the nut avoiding ball circulation regions, then air communication is achieved without affecting ball screw mechanism, but the nut structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The nut is designed to perform multiple functions: it supports the ball screw mechanism, guides balls, and provides air communication through its through-hole. By integrating the air passage function into the existing nut structure, the patent avoids increasing overall device complexity while achieving multi-functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding a separate component for air communication or modifying the housing, the patent inverts the approach by utilizing the nut's existing structure and adding a through-hole to it. This reverse engineering approach simplifies the overall design by using an existing component for an additional function.
Data Source
AI summary
A power steering system is provided with a communicating hole and yet ensures the strength of a housing. Space between the housing and a wheel turning shaft is divided into two. Space located on one axial side of the bearing supporting a nut and the plurality of balls disposed in the nut is a first chamber, and space located on the other side is a second chamber. The communicating hole allowing communication between the first and second chambers is formed in the nut to open in the nut-side ball screw groove, avoiding a region in which the balls circulate, or in a member disposed radially further outside than the nut and radially inside than the inner wall of the housing.