Rack-Pinion Pressing Assembly With Spring Sliding Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing apparatus for pressing a toothed rack against a pinion in steering gear systems is complex and requires multiple individual parts, leading to increased production outlay and potential for compactness issues due to the need for multiple components to compensate for tolerances and wear.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a sliding element with a spring function that acts as both a bearing surface for the toothed rack and a prestressing component, reducing the number of parts needed by integrating the spring function into the sliding element, which is designed with a multi-layered structure using spring steel and low-friction materials, and eliminates the need for additional components like spring washers and separate adjusting discs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple individual parts and elements are used to form the apparatus, then tolerance compensation and wear compensation are achieved, but production outlay increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual parts into a single integrated pressure piece that houses both the bearing element and prestressing element. This merging reduces the number of separate components from three (bearing element, prestressing element, pressure piece) to one integrated unit, thereby reducing production outlay while maintaining the ability to compensate for tolerances and wear through the internal arrangement of these elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure piece is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as a bearing surface, a prestressing mechanism, and a tolerance compensation device. By integrating the bearing element and prestressing element within the pressure piece, it performs multiple functions that previously required separate components, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple individual parts and elements are used to form the apparatus, then tolerance compensation is achieved, but production outlay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bearing element and prestressing element into a single pressure piece, reducing the number of manufacturing steps and assembly operations. This integration simplifies production by eliminating the need to manufacture, inspect, and assemble multiple separate parts, thereby reducing production outlay while maintaining the precision needed for tolerance compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
While integrating components, the pressure piece is designed with segmented functional zones - a bearing element region and a prestressing element region - that can be manufactured separately and then joined as a single unit. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing of each functional zone while achieving cost savings through reduced assembly complexity and inventory management.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact design is pursued, then space is saved, but the apparatus may not adequately compensate for tolerances and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the prestressing element is positioned within the pressure piece, and the bearing element is integrated into the same structure. This nesting allows the apparatus to maintain a compact overall volume while preserving the functional space needed for tolerance and wear compensation, as the elements are arranged concentrically around the center longitudinal axis.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus utilizes the axial dimension along the center longitudinal axis to accommodate the bearing element and prestressing element in a compact arrangement. By arranging elements axially rather than radially or laterally, the design achieves space efficiency while maintaining the necessary functional clearance for tolerance and wear compensation.
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 design reduces production complexity, minimizes friction and wear, and allows for more compact designs while effectively compensating for tolerances and wear, enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of the steering mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a prestressing element which acts in an axial direction... the pressure piece is subjected to a prestressing force in an axial direction
Implementation Method 2
The sliding element is designed with a spring function in an axial direction of a centre longitudinal axis in order to compensate tolerances
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an apparatus for pressing a toothed rack against a pinion, having a pressure piece, wherein the pressure piece can be arranged so as to be displaceable inside a housing and in an axial direction of a centre longitudinal axis, having a bearing element that can be fixed on the housing in an axial direction with respect to the centre longitudinal axis, having a prestressing element that acts in an axial direction, wherein, as a result of the prestressing element being arranged between the bearing element and the pressure piece, the pressure piece is subjected to a prestressing force in an axial direction with respect to the centre longitudinal axis and directed away from the bearing element. In order to be able to reduce the production outlay and/or realize a more compact design, the apparatus is characterized in that a sliding element is arranged on a side, facing away from the prestressing element, of the pressure piece for the purpose of bearing against the toothed rack, wherein the sliding element is designed with a spring function in an axial direction of the centre longitudinal axis in order to compensate tolerances.