Vehicle Steering Worm Shaft Damper for Tilt and Rattle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering apparatuses for vehicles experience tilting of the worm shaft, leading to increased rattle noise, friction, and noise issues due to the variable axial distance between the worm wheel and worm shaft.
Innovation Solution
A steering apparatus with a damper system that includes a cover and an elastic part, where the elastic part is configured to provide an elastic force to the worm shaft, preventing its tilting and movement by engaging with the inner surface of the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a bottom bearing is configured to a spring, sliding damper, and end cover assembly to compensate for rotation and tilting of the worm shaft, then the worm shaft can rotate and tilt during operation, but the axial distance between the worm wheel and worm shaft cannot be maintained constant, causing the worm shaft to tilt beyond the target tilting amount, which increases rattle noise and friction
Solution Approach 1:
The damper is divided into distinct functional segments: a damping element for shock absorption, a positioning element for maintaining axial distance, and a mounting structure for integration. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, ensuring both adaptability to tilting and maintenance of axial positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper is designed to maintain the worm shaft in an equipotential state regarding axial position, using elastic elements that provide restoring force to keep the axial distance constant while allowing controlled tilting within design parameters.
2Ease of operation
If the worm shaft is allowed to tilt during operation, then rotation and tilting can be compensated, but rattle noise and friction increase when the tilting amount exceeds the target
Solution Approach 1:
The damper incorporates damping elements positioned to provide cushioning force before the worm shaft tilting exceeds the target amount. This prior cushioning prevents excessive tilting by absorbing shocks and providing restoring force, thereby preventing the generation of rattle noise and excessive friction before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper converts the potentially harmful effects of tilting-induced shocks and vibrations into beneficial damping forces. By strategically placing damping elements, the design transforms what would be harmful rattle noise and friction into controlled energy dissipation that maintains smooth operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components (spring, sliding damper, end cover assembly) are used to compensate for worm shaft tilting, then tilting compensation is achieved, but the number of parts and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the spring element, sliding damper, and end cover assembly into a single integrated damper component. This consolidation maintains the tilting compensation capability while reducing the number of separate parts and simplifying the assembly process, as the integrated design allows for fewer installation steps and reduced alignment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated damper is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides shock absorption, tilting compensation, and axial positioning functions. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining all necessary compensation capabilities.
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 proposed solution effectively manages the tilting of the worm shaft, reduces noise and friction, and decreases the number of parts and assembly complexity, thereby lowering manufacturing costs and improving productivity.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic deformation part that is configured so that a first side of the elastic deformation part is mounted on the cover and a second side of the elastic deformation part rotatably surrounds the bearing and includes an elastically deformable material
Implementation Method 2
a leaf spring that is mounted on the elastic deformation part and provides an elastic force to the bearing when the elastic deformation part is elastically deformed by the tilting of the worm shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a housing, a worm wheel accommodated within the housing and mounted on a steering shaft, a worm shaft that rotates by being engaged with the worm wheel, a bearing mounted on the worm shaft, and a damper that rotatably surrounds the bearing, comes into contact with an inner surface of the housing, and provides an elastic force to the worm shaft towards a worm wheel side.