Steering Rod Bearing Bush Geometry for Low-Force Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Bearing bushes used to store steering rods in vehicles face challenges in absorbing transverse forces with minimal deformation and low eccentricity, particularly due to manufacturing tolerances and material limitations, leading to increased assembly forces and potential play between components.
Innovation Solution
A bearing bush design featuring a tubular bearing element with axial elevations on its outer circumference, where the inner diameter is larger in elevated sections, allowing for deformation during assembly to reduce assembly forces and maintain low eccentricity, combined with a sealing element for radial pretension to prevent dirt and moisture ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bearing element is made thin-walled to reduce assembly forces, then ease of assembly is improved, but deformation under transverse load increases leading to higher eccentricity
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing element features local thickening in the form of axially extending projections on its outer circumference. These projections create regions of increased wall thickness and stiffness at specific locations, allowing the bearing to maintain overall thin-walled construction for easy assembly while providing localized reinforcement to resist deformation under transverse loads and minimize eccentricity.
2Ease of operation
If heat treatment is applied to modify component dimensions for easier assembly, then ease of assembly is improved, but assembly effort and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using heat treatment to temporarily change dimensions for assembly, the invention employs geometric parameter changes in the form of axially extending projections on the outer circumference. These projections create controlled variations in the outer diameter that facilitate assembly through deformation while maintaining the bearing's structural integrity and minimizing eccentricity under load.
3Ease of operation
If an elastomeric layer is applied to the outer circumference to compensate for tolerances, then ease of assembly is improved, but deformation under transverse load increases leading to higher eccentricity
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing element incorporates axially extending projections on its outer circumference that create controlled flexible regions. These projections allow the bearing to deform elastically during assembly to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and reduce assembly forces, while the rigid portions between projections maintain structural stability and minimize eccentricity when subjected to transverse loads during operation.
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 design enables easy assembly with reduced forces and minimal eccentricity, ensuring secure mounting of steering rods with minimal play, while maintaining effective sealing and cost-effectiveness using plastic materials.
Implementation Method 1
The design according to the invention allows the bearing bush to deform into a receiving bore during assembly, thereby reducing the assembly forces. Because the inner diameter of the bearing element is larger in the sections associated with the protrusions than in the other sections, the deformation of the bearing element is compensated for in such a way that a machine element to be supported in the bearing element can be supported with minimal bearing clearance and no unacceptably high eccentricity results under load.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Bearing bushing (1) comprising at least one sealing element (2) and a bearing element (3), wherein the sealing element (2) is provided with at least one sealing lip (4), wherein the bearing element (3) is essentially tubular, wherein the bearing element (3) has several axially extending projections (5) on its outer circumference, wherein the inner diameter (6) of the bearing element (3) is larger in the sections associated with the projections (5) than in the other sections.