Vehicle Steering Slip Joint Elastic Part Clearance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional universal joints in steering apparatuses for vehicles experience deformation and wear due to bending or torsion forces, leading to clearance issues and rattling noises, which compromise steering stability and durability.
Innovation Solution
A slip joint design incorporating an elastic part and a slip bush with balls and rollers that make contact at four points, reducing frictional resistance and compensating for clearance, thereby enhancing torsional rigidity and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a ball is disposed between the inner member and outer member to transfer rotational force, then power transmission is enabled, but the ball wears away due to abrasion and deformation occurs, generating clearance and rattling noises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the contact geometry parameter from linear contact to point contact at four specific points on the ball surface. This parameter change reduces the contact area and distributes wear more evenly, preventing the ball from wearing away and deforming, thereby eliminating clearance and rattling noises while maintaining power transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an elastic part as an intermediary element between the ball and the guide recesses. This elastic part compensates for clearance generated during operation and maintains consistent contact, preventing rattling noises and extending the durability of the power transmission system
2Power
If the ball makes linear contact with the guide recess to transfer force, then power transmission is achieved, but frictional force increases and sliding performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the spherical geometry of the ball to achieve point contact at four specific points rather than linear contact. This curved surface contact reduces frictional force by minimizing the contact area and allowing smoother rolling motion, thereby improving sliding performance while maintaining effective force transmission
3Adaptability or versatility
If the inner member and outer member are assembled with slanted shafts at predetermined angles, then power transmission at angles is enabled, but clearance is generated and rattling noises occur due to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic part acts as a mediator that compensates for clearance generated in the angular power transmission system. It maintains consistent contact between the ball and guide recesses, preventing rattling noises and ensuring steering stability while preserving the ability to transmit power at predetermined angles
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 solution effectively reduces frictional resistance, improves sliding performance, and enhances the durability and stability of the slip joint by maintaining smooth rotation and absorbing external displacements, even under manufacturing errors or deformation.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic part transfers power while compensating for clearance even when a ball disposed between an inner member and an outer member of a slip joint is worn away or damaged
Implementation Method 2
the ball makes contact with four points within the slip bush so as to decrease frictional force, and the slip bush can smoothly slide even if the ball is deformed
Data Source
AI summary
A slip joint of a steering apparatus for a vehicle, the slip joint including: an outer member having a plurality of first assembling recesses; an inner member being inserted within the outer member and having a plurality of second assembling recesses; and a slip bush, which is inserted between the outer member and the inner member and has mounting parts, into which balls and rollers are inserted, and elastic parts having one side cut out in an axial direction, each mounting part having a plurality of first mounting holes and a plurality of second mounting holes. Each elastic part transfers power while compensating for clearance even when the balls disposed between the inner member and the outer member of the slip joint are worn away so that a rattling noise generated due to clearance is removed, and steering stability and durability of the slip joint can be improved.