Steering Gear Pad With Plastic Teeth And Spacers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lawn and garden tractors and utility vehicles with sector and pinion or rack and pinion steering systems generate noticeable noise due to metallic clunk and tapping sounds as the steering wheel is turned, necessitating a simple and cost-effective noise reduction solution.
Innovation Solution
A steering gear pad with plastic teeth is attached to the sector gear or rack, featuring spacers that limit contact with the support plate, reducing noise by engaging with the pinion gear teeth and minimizing backlash or clearance between metal teeth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal teeth of sector gear or rack are used, then strength and durability are improved, but noise is generated due to metallic clunk and tapping sounds
Solution Approach 1:
A pad with plastic teeth is introduced as an intermediary element between the pinion gear teeth and the sector gear teeth or rack. The pad engages with the pinion gear teeth and transmits force to the sector gear or rack through its plastic teeth, which reduces the metallic clunk and tapping noises while maintaining the strength and durability of the metal components.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If spacers are added to limit contact between sector gear and support plate, then noise is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacers are integrated into the pad structure, merging the noise reduction function with the existing components. The pad includes spacers that limit contact between the sector gear or rack and the support plate, combining multiple functions (noise reduction, contact limitation) into a single integrated component rather than adding separate parts.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a noise reduction device is added to the steering system, then noise is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is manufactured from inexpensive materials such as polypropylene or other plastics, making it a cost-effective noise reduction solution. The simple plastic construction with integrated spacers provides an affordable alternative to more complex and expensive noise reduction systems, allowing for easy manufacturing and replacement if needed.
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
The steering gear pad effectively reduces noise by engaging with the pinion gear teeth and limiting contact between the sector or rack gear and the support plate, providing a quiet and inexpensive solution for steering systems.
Implementation Method 1
reducing noise by engaging with the pinion gear teeth and minimizing backlash or clearance between metal teeth
Implementation Method 2
Spacers extending from the steering gear pad limit contact between the steering gear and the support plate to which the steering gear is mounted
Data Source
AI summary
A steering gear pad for a steering gear of a sector and pinion or rack and pinion steering system. The steering gear pad has a plastic body and a rim with a plurality of plastic gear teeth positioned adjacent a plurality of metal gear teeth on a sector gear or rack mounted to a support plate. The plastic gear teeth may have width dimensions larger than the metal gear teeth. One or more resilient spacers urge the steering gear out of contact with the support plate.