Rack Steering Yoke Assembly With Threaded Clearance Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering systems require a complex assembly process due to numerous components, leading to increased manufacturing time and cost.
Innovation Solution
A simplified steering apparatus design featuring a mounting housing with first threads, a yoke body, and a pressing member with second threads, which are coupled without additional components, along with a clearance adjusting member and torsion spring to reduce component count and facilitate easy clearance adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional steering system components are used, then the system is robust and functional, but the assembly process becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides clearance adjustment between the rack bar and yoke body through its movable position, acts as a retaining structure for the torsion spring, and serves as a mounting element for the clearance adjusting member. This consolidation reduces the total component count and simplifies assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting housing serves multiple purposes: it houses the rack bar, provides threading for the pressing member, contains the torsion spring mechanism, and supports the yoke body assembly. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate housing components and simplifies the overall structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple components are used to ensure proper clearance, then the system is reliable, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clearance adjusting member enables operators to adjust the clearance between the rack bar and yoke body directly during assembly or maintenance, without requiring specialized tools or complex adjustment mechanisms. The threaded connection allows for simple rotational adjustment that self-regulates the clearance gap.
Solution Approach 2:
The torsion spring provides adjustable elastic force that can be modified by changing its pre-load or spring constant, allowing the clearance and force characteristics to be tuned during manufacturing or maintenance without redesigning the entire mechanism.
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
This design reduces manufacturing costs, simplifies assembly, and allows for easy adjustment of clearance, addressing the complexity and time issues of conventional systems while maintaining performance.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring may be provided at a center of an upper end of the pressing member so as to apply a rotational force to the pressing member
Implementation Method 2
first threads formed on an inner circumferential surface of the mounting housing; second threads formed on an outer circumferential surface of the pressing member, and coupled to the mounting housing in a state in which the second threads are coupled to the first threads
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a steering apparatus including: a mounting housing which is formed on one side of a rack housing and has first threads formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof; a yoke body which is provided inside the mounting housing and supports a rack bar located inside the rack housing; and a pressing member which is provided inside the mounting housing, has second threads formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and is coupled to the mounting housing in a state in which the second threads are coupled to the first threads and are separated from the yoke body.