Steering Rack Housing Cross-Sectional Contractions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of steering rack housings for power steering systems is costly and labor-intensive due to the need for peripheral constrictions and complex assembly processes, which increases manufacturing efforts and costs while maintaining quality and rigidity requirements.
Innovation Solution
A steering rack housing design that incorporates cross-sectional contractions to securely hold the supporting bearing, allowing for simplified attachment and production, potentially using punched-in portions or uniformly distributed contractions, which also enables the elimination of peripheral diameter reduction and the use of a stop part formed from steel sheet for displacement limitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If peripheral constrictions are used to hold the supporting bearing, then the bearing is securely retained, but the production effort and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous peripheral constriction is divided into multiple discrete cross-sectional contractions distributed around the housing circumference. These segmented contractions are easier to manufacture individually while collectively providing secure bearing retention, reducing overall production complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of constricting the entire peripheral region uniformly, the invention applies localized cross-sectional contractions only at specific positions where supporting bearings need to be retained. This localized approach reduces manufacturing effort while maintaining bearing security
2Reliability
If peripheral diameter reduction is used to attach the supporting bearing, then the bearing is firmly secured, but the housing rigidity and strength are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating contractions only in specific cross-sectional regions where bearing attachment is needed, rather than reducing the peripheral diameter throughout. This preserves the overall housing rigidity and strength while providing secure bearing attachment at localized positions
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of reducing the peripheral diameter (one-dimensional approach), the invention creates cross-sectional contractions that protrude into the housing interior (adding a third dimension). This allows secure bearing attachment without compromising the external housing dimensions and overall structural strength
3Reliability
If complex constrictions are used for bearing attachment, then the bearing is securely held, but the manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex peripheral constriction is segmented into multiple simpler cross-sectional contractions that can be manufactured independently and more efficiently, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and time while maintaining bearing retention reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional contractions are designed to automatically provide both the attachment function and the retention function through their geometric shape alone, eliminating the need for additional complex fastening mechanisms or assembly steps
Data Source
AI summary
A steering rack housing (20, 100, 100′, 100″) for a power steering system that surrounds a steering rack in a tubular manner and includes a hydraulic region (32), a mechanical region (34), and as an inner supporting bearing (38), wherein the supporting bearing is held in the steering rack housing (20, 100, 100′, 100″) by at least two cross-sectional contractions (46) of the housing.