Steering Column Adjustment Drive Elastic Bearing Preloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column adjustment drives for motor vehicles suffer from low running smoothness and increased wear due to inadequate bearing arrangements, which fail to maintain optimal axial pressure under varying operating conditions and wear over time.
Innovation Solution
The adjustment drive incorporates axially resilient outer bearing rings supported by elastic preloading elements, which apply a predetermined preloading force to maintain uniform axial pressure and prevent bearing play, ensuring smooth operation and reduced wear through elastic preloading and damping of torque peaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional bearing arrangements are used in the adjustment drive, then the structure is simple, but running smoothness deteriorates and wear increases due to inadequate axial pressure maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preloading the bearing rings with elastic preloading elements before operation begins. The preloading force is applied in advance to ensure optimal contact pressure between bearing surfaces, preventing bearing play and ensuring smooth operation from the start of operation while reducing initial wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by using elastic preloading elements that can dynamically adjust to varying operating conditions. The elastic elements maintain consistent preloading force despite thermal variations and wear over time, adapting the bearing arrangement to changing conditions while maintaining running smoothness and reducing wear.
2Reliability
If rigid bearing support is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but bearing play increases under thermal variations and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from rigid bearing support to elastic preloading. The elastic preloading elements change the physical state of the bearing arrangement from rigid to compliant, allowing dynamic adjustment of preloading force to maintain optimal contact pressure under varying temperature and wear conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining rigid bearing rings with elastic preloading elements. This composite approach integrates the load-bearing capability of rigid components with the adaptive properties of elastic materials, maintaining axial pressure consistency while managing thermal variations and wear.
3Ease of operation
If elastic preloading elements are introduced, then running smoothness and axial pressure consistency improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic preloading elements apply preliminary action by pre-compressing the bearing rings before operation. This preliminary preloading ensures optimal contact pressure is established in advance, improving running smoothness from the start of operation while the elastic nature of the elements allows for simple integration into the existing bearing arrangement.
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 solution enhances running smoothness and reduces wear by maintaining consistent axial pressure and stiffness, even under thermal variations and wear, thereby improving the overall performance and longevity of the steering column adjustment drive.
Implementation Method 1
an outer bearing ring (93) is supported in an axially resilient manner at the bearing housing (63) by way of an elastic preloading element (94), which exerts a preloading force that axially braces the two outer bearing rings (93) against one another
Implementation Method 2
maintaining consistent axial pressure and stiffness, even under thermal variations and wear
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustment drive for a steering column adjustable by motor includes a threaded spindle with an axis. The threaded spindle engages in a spindle nut, a drive unit and a gear wheel connected to the spindle nut or the threaded spindle for rotation therewith, which is driveable to rotate about the axis by the drive unit and rotatably mounted about the axis in a bearing housing in an arrangement between two outer bearing rings axially supported at the bearing housing. The outer bearing rings each have, on their facing sides, a circumferential outer bearing face coaxial to the axis, the outer bearing face in each case lying opposite a bearing face on the end side at the gear wheel. At least one outer bearing ring is axially resiliently supported at the bearing housing by an elastic preloading element that axially braces the two outer bearing rings together.