Power Steering Ball Circulation Alignment With Tube Abutments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power steering apparatuses face misalignment issues between the first and second circulation members, affecting the accuracy of ball circulation due to their relative positions in the circumferential direction of the nut.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating first-circulation-member-side and second-circulation-member-side abutment portions to restrict the relative positions of the first and second circulation members in the circumferential direction, ensuring precise alignment and smooth ball circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the circulation mechanism is formed by placing the first circulation member and the second circulation member in abutment with each other in the axial direction of the nut, then the structure can be simplified and radial dimensions can be reduced, but misalignment between the relative positions of the first circulation member and the second circulation member in the circumferential direction occurs, affecting ball circulation
Solution Approach 1:
A positioning member is introduced as an intermediary component between the first circulation member and the second circulation member. This positioning member includes a positioning protrusion that fits into a positioning groove, serving as a mediator to ensure precise circumferential alignment of the two circulation members while allowing them to remain in abutment in the axial direction, thus resolving the contradiction between compact radial dimensions and alignment precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If the first circulation member and the second circulation member are positioned with high precision in the circumferential direction, then ball circulation accuracy is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member acts as a simple intermediary component with a positioning protrusion and positioning groove structure. This design achieves high alignment accuracy without significantly increasing overall structural complexity, as the positioning function is integrated into a dedicated component that facilitates assembly and ensures precise circumferential positioning of the circulation members.
3Volume of moving object
If the first circulation member and the second circulation member are placed in abutment in the axial direction to reduce radial dimensions, then compactness is improved, but the relative positions of the circulation members become unstable, affecting reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member with its positioning protrusion and groove structure serves as a stabilizing intermediary that prevents relative circumferential movement between the first and second circulation members. This ensures stable relative positions while maintaining the compact axial abutment configuration, thus resolving the contradiction between radial compactness and positional stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a power steering apparatus capable of improving accuracy of relative positions of a first circulation member and a second circulation member. A tube 23 includes a first first-tube-side abutment portion 40 and a second second-tube-side abutment portion 51, and a second first-tube-side abutment portion 41 and a first second-tube-side abutment portion 51, which are configured to restrict relative positions of a first tube 31 and a second tube 32 in a circumferential direction relative to a nut 8.