Vehicle Steering Worm Gear Damping for Tilt and Noise Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering apparatuses experience tilting and noise issues due to inconsistent axial distance between the worm wheel and worm shaft, leading to increased friction and abnormal noise when the worm shaft tilts beyond a desired amount.
Innovation Solution
A steering apparatus with a damper that elastically presses the bearing to maintain engagement between the worm shaft and worm wheel, using an elastic part with a cover, elastic body, and O-rings to prevent tilting and noise, reducing component count and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional steering apparatus components (spring, sliding damper, end cover assembly) are configured in a lower bearing to compensate for worm shaft rotation and tilting, then the worm shaft rotation and tilting can be compensated, but the axial distance between the worm wheel and worm shaft is not consistently maintained, causing the worm shaft to tilt and generate noise
Solution Approach 1:
An elastic pressing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the bearing and the worm shaft. This elastic member consistently maintains the axial distance between the worm wheel and worm shaft through elastic pressing force, preventing worm shaft tilting while avoiding the noise and friction issues caused by conventional damping components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the pressing mechanism from rigid (spring, sliding damper) to elastic. The elastic pressing member deforms elastically under load, providing consistent axial positioning force while accommodating worm shaft rotation, thereby maintaining stable axial distance and preventing tilting-induced noise
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple components (spring, sliding damper, end cover assembly) are used to compensate for worm shaft tilting, then the tilting compensation function is achieved, but the number of components increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (spring, sliding damper, end cover assembly) into a single integrated elastic pressing member. This unified component performs the tilting compensation function that previously required multiple parts, thereby reducing component count and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining effective worm shaft tilting compensation
3Ease of operation
If the axial distance between worm wheel and worm shaft is not consistently maintained, then the worm shaft can rotate freely, but the worm shaft tilts beyond desired amount and generates abnormal noise
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic pressing member acts as an intermediary that consistently maintains the axial distance between the worm wheel and worm shaft. This mediator allows the worm shaft to rotate freely while preventing excessive tilting that would cause abnormal noise, by providing continuous elastic pressing force to maintain proper axial positioning
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 damper effectively prevents worm shaft tilting and noise, reducing friction and assembly complexity while lowering manufacturing costs and improving productivity.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body configured to be spaced apart from the cover and surround the bearing, and an elastic arm configured to be mounted on the elastic body and provide an elastic force to the bearing while being elastically deformed upon contact with the bearing
Implementation Method 2
an O-ring configured to be mounted on an outer surface of the elastic body and be elastically deformed when in contact with an inner surface of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A steering apparatus for a vehicle including a housing, a worm wheel secured inside the housing and mounted on a steering shaft, a worm shaft operably engaged with the worm wheel to rotate, a bearing mounted on the worm shaft, and a damper rotatably surrounds the bearing and elastically presses the bearing to allow the worm shaft to engage with the worm wheel.