Steering Belt Support Structure for Stable Rack Drive Meshing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The durability decrease in vehicle steering apparatuses leads to unstable belt meshing, causing inaccurate steering power transmission, noise, vibration, and tooth jump phenomena, compromising vehicle safety.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle steering apparatus with a belt support member that includes rollers and gears to maintain belt tension by pressing the drive belt surfaces together, ensuring stable power transmission and preventing tooth jump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the vehicle steering apparatus operates for an extended period, then the durability decreases and belt tension decreases, but accurate steering force transmission and stable belt meshing are required
Solution Approach 1:
The belt support member is designed to dynamically adjust its position based on belt tension requirements. It can move between a first position (when belt tension is normal) and a second position (when belt tension decreases due to durability loss), thereby maintaining stable belt meshing and power transmission throughout the service life of the steering apparatus
Solution Approach 2:
The belt support member proactively compensates for belt tension loss before it causes tooth jump or meshing failure. By detecting tension decrease and adjusting position in advance, it prevents harmful effects such as tooth jump phenomenon and unstable steering force transmission
2Reliability
If the belt tension decreases due to durability loss, then meshing stability deteriorates, but noise and vibration reduction are required
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic positioning capability of the belt support member ensures that the drive belt maintains optimal tension and contact with pulleys regardless of durability-related relaxation. This stable meshing prevents tooth jump and slippage, thereby eliminating the noise and vibration that would otherwise be generated by unstable power transmission
3Reliability
If the belt tension is not maintained, then tooth jump phenomenon occurs in emergency situations, but steering force transmission accuracy is required
Solution Approach 1:
The belt support member prepares the belt tension in advance before emergency situations occur. By maintaining proper tension during normal operation and adjusting when tension decreases, it ensures that sufficient tension is available during emergency steering maneuvers, preventing tooth jump while preserving accurate steering force transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The ability of the belt support member to dynamically adjust position ensures that the belt tension is optimized for both normal and emergency conditions. This dynamic adjustment maintains the balance between preventing tooth jump and preserving steering accuracy across all operating conditions
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
Maintains belt tension, reduces noise and vibration, and prevents tooth jump, enhancing vehicle driving safety by ensuring accurate steering force transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a belt support member coupled to the rack housing and supporting one outer surface portion and another outer surface portion of the drive belt to press the one outer surface portion and the another outer surface portion of the drive belt in a direction toward each other
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle steering apparatus may include a rack housing on which a motor shaft and a ball nut are mounted, a motor pulley coupled to the motor shaft, a nut pulley coupled to the ball nut, a drive belt coupled to the motor pulley and the nut pulley, and a belt support member coupled to the rack housing and supported to narrow a gap between one outer peripheral surface and the other outer peripheral surface of the drive belt.