Vehicle Steering Belt Support to Prevent Pulley Jumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering devices in vehicles suffer from gear teeth jumping off the pulley and belt engagement issues, leading to power transfer failure and potential accidents due to imprecise axial position determination of the ball screw.
Innovation Solution
A steering device with a support protruding from the housing's inner circumferential surface to prevent the belt from jumping off the motor pulley, ensuring stable engagement by positioning the belt between the support's end and the motor pulley.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the belt is connected between the motor pulley and nut pulley to transfer torque, then power transfer efficiency is improved, but the gear teeth may jump off the pulley due to external impact
Solution Approach 1:
The support protrusion is positioned in advance to counteract the external impact forces that cause belt jumping. By having the support structure ready before impact occurs, the system prevents the belt from disengaging from the motor pulley during steering operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support protrusion acts as an intermediary element between the belt and the housing. It provides a physical barrier that mediates the interaction between the moving belt and the stationary housing, preventing direct contact that would cause the belt to jump off the pulley.
2Power
If the belt and motor pulley are re-engaged after jumping, then power transfer is restored, but the axial position of the ball screw becomes imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The support protrusion performs preliminary action by maintaining continuous contact with the belt throughout operation. This prevents the belt from completely disengaging and re-engaging, thereby avoiding position errors that would occur during re-engagement after jumping.
3Device complexity
If no support structure is added to prevent belt jumping, then device complexity is minimized, but steering reliability and driver safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented with a protruding support structure that divides the internal space. This segmentation creates a dedicated region that guides and constrains the belt, preventing it from jumping off the motor pulley while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering device for a vehicle includes a ball nut coupled with a nut pulley; a motor provided with a motor pulley connected with the nut pulley through a belt; a housing receiving the nut pulley, the belt, and the motor pulley; and a plurality of supports protruding from an inner circumferential surface of the housing to prevent the belt from jumping off the motor pulley.