Steering Ball Joint Sealing Structure for Tight Rack Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of maintaining comfort in the passenger compartment while accommodating narrower front side members due to new wheel width and turning radius requirements, which complicates the assembly of the steering column and rack via the steering ball joint.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an annular planar component that extends around the oblong hole of the steering ball joint, widening the receiving bearing to facilitate assembly, and ensuring a fluid-tight connection through welding and mastic joint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the front side members are moved closer together to meet new wheel width and turning radius requirements, then the wheel width and turning radius requirements are satisfied, but the width of the edge around the oblong hole in the steering ball joint is reduced, making assembly more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the sealing structure into two parts: the original edge around the oblong hole and the additional annular planar component. This segmentation allows the sealing function to be maintained even when the original edge width is reduced, while the annular component provides sufficient surface area for rack joint engagement and sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular planar component acts as an intermediary element between the steering ball joint and the rack joint. It extends the receiving bearing surface and provides a mediating sealing interface that enables proper assembly despite the reduced dimensions of the original edge.
2Ease of operation
If the steering column is adjusted laterally to the left to release space for the front passenger, then passenger comfort is improved, but the steering ball joint becomes wedged in the angle between the bulkhead and side member, further constraining its dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds a new dimensional element to the steering ball joint structure by introducing the annular planar component that extends in a direction perpendicular to the original edge. This additional dimension compensates for the dimensional constraints imposed by the wedged configuration.
3Area of stationary object
If the edge width around the oblong hole is reduced due to side member relocation, then space for wheel assembly is improved, but the receiving bearing of the rack joint is insufficient for proper assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The annular planar component is incorporated into the steering ball joint structure in advance, before the rack assembly process. This preliminary action ensures that the receiving bearing surface is already extended and properly configured, enabling precise rack joint assembly despite the reduced edge width.
Data Source
AI summary
A front structure of a motor vehicle includes: a bulkhead extending between an engine compartment and a passenger compartment; two front side members connected to the bulkhead; a steering ball joint provided in the bulkhead and projecting into the engine compartment, the steering ball joint having a base and an oblong orifice provided in the base and defining an edge extending around the oblong orifice facing the engine compartment; and a rack installed in the engine compartment and a rack seal designed to engage between the rack and the steering ball joint. The structure also includes a planar annular part surface mounted on the edge and extending around the oblong orifice in order to be able to extend the reception range of the rack seal.