Steering Device Ball Nut Deflector Gap Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering devices face difficulties in easily drawing in or out balls between the sliding bar and the ball nut, leading to gaps that cause noise and poor response due to processing errors in the screw grooves, making gap removal cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A steering device with a deflector having a base member and a cover member that forms a circulation path and communication hole between the sliding bar and the ball nut, allowing easy insertion and removal of balls through the communication hole, simplifying the process of compensating for gaps between the components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If balls are drawn in from an end of the ball nut to a space between the ball nut and the sliding bar using the conventional structure, then the balls can be positioned in the circulation path, but the process is burdensome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ball insertion/removal operation from the conventional end-of-nut approach and relocates it to a dedicated access point (opening) on the deflector. This allows balls to be easily introduced or removed from the circulation path without disassembling the ball nut or sliding bar, directly improving ease of operation and reducing time required for maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector with its opening serves as an intermediary access point for ball insertion and removal. Instead of directly accessing balls between the ball nut and sliding bar (which requires disassembly), the opening on the deflector provides an indirect but convenient access path, making the operation simpler and faster.
2Reliability
If a gap exists between the ball nut or sliding bar and the balls due to processing errors in the screw groove, then noise and poor response occur, but removing the gap is complicated and takes long
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service maintenance for gap compensation. Operators can easily remove and replace balls through the opening on the deflector to eliminate gaps caused by processing errors, without requiring complex disassembly procedures or specialized tools, thus simplifying the maintenance process while ensuring reliable operation.
3Ease of repair
If the conventional ball circulation structure is used, then the balls can circulate between the sliding bar and ball nut, but replacing balls is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ball replacement operation from the conventional enclosed structure and provides direct access through the opening on the deflector. This allows balls to be quickly removed and replaced without disassembling the ball nut or sliding bar, dramatically improving ease of repair and reducing replacement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector is segmented to include a separate opening that provides independent access to the ball circulation path. This segmentation allows ball replacement to be performed independently of other components, simplifying the repair process and reducing time required.
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present embodiments, it is easy to be drawn in or out balls between the sliding bar and the ball nut. Thus, it is possible to easily replace the balls. Therefore, it is possible to easily compensate for the gap between the sliding bar and the ball nut.