Steering Gear Swivel Ring Axial Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power steering systems face issues with gear backlash due to component tolerances and thermal expansion, leading to undesirable noises during alternating steering, and the known fixed bearing solutions are complex to produce and assemble, with structural weaknesses.
Innovation Solution
The inner ring of the swivel ring is mounted on the outside of the bearing sleeve, allowing for a simple, unslotted tubular shape that is easy to produce and assemble, with axially immovable mounting of the pivot bearing to minimize play and use torsion bars for connection between the outer and inner rings, and anti-twist devices to prevent rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inner ring of the swivel ring is mounted inside the bearing sleeve, then the fixed bearing can accommodate the roller bearing, but the bearing sleeve becomes structurally weakened and requires complex production with longitudinal slots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional mounting arrangement by positioning the inner ring of the swivel ring outside the bearing sleeve instead of inside it. This eliminates the need for longitudinal slots in the bearing sleeve, maintaining its structural integrity while simplifying production. The inner ring is axially fixed to the bearing sleeve through external attachment methods.
2Ease of operation
If the bearing sleeve is provided with longitudinal slots to accommodate the inner ring, then the inner ring can be inserted, but the bearing sleeve becomes structurally weakened leading to unwanted mobility of the roller bearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reverses the mounting configuration by placing the inner ring outside the bearing sleeve rather than inside it. This eliminates the structural weakening caused by longitudinal slots while ensuring the roller bearing remains stable and free from unwanted mobility. The inner ring is securely attached to the bearing sleeve through axial fixation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the inner ring is mounted on the outside of the bearing sleeve, then the bearing sleeve maintains simple tubular shape for easy production, but the assembly requires precise alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates alignment features directly into the bearing sleeve structure, such as alignment pins or positioning elements, that guide the inner ring into correct alignment during assembly. This preliminary alignment mechanism ensures precise positioning without requiring complex external alignment procedures, maintaining both manufacturing simplicity and assembly precision.
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 design reduces gear backlash, simplifies manufacturing and assembly, and enhances structural integrity by minimizing unwanted mobility of the roller bearing, thereby reducing noise and improving the overall performance of the steering gear.
Implementation Method 1
The swivel ring (13) has an outer ring (14) and an inner ring (15), which are connected via two torsion bars (16)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a solid bearing (5) for a steering gear comprising a swivel, which solid bearing comprises an inner bearing shell provided for accommodating a pinion shaft (3) of the steering gear, and an outer bearing shell, which is accommodated in a bearing bushing (12), and comprising a swivel ring (13) having an outer ring (14) and an inner ring (15), which rings are pivotally connected via one or more torsion webs(16), wherein the outer ring (14) is provided for bearing the solid bearing (5) in a housing (1) of the steering gear, characterized in that the inner ring (15) of the pivot ring (13) is mounted and axially fixed on the outer side on the bearing bushing (12).