Power Steering Worm Bearing Compensation for Stable Gear Mesh
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Solution Overview
Problem
The worm/worm gear reduction assembly in power steering systems wears over time, leading to reduced friction and poor NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) performance.
Innovation Solution
A power steering assembly with a compensation mechanism that includes a floating bearing and an adjustable spring system, where a spring retainer maintains a consistent gear mesh load between the worm gear and worm, using a single, integrally formed component to minimize friction variation and improve NVH performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional worm/worm gear reduction assembly is used, then the power steering system provides torque assist, but the gear mesh load varies over time leading to increased friction and poor NVH performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic compensation mechanism with an adjustable spring that can adapt to wear in the worm/worm gear assembly. The spring allows the gear mesh load to be adjusted over time, transforming a static system into a dynamic one that can compensate for changes in the system characteristics, thereby maintaining consistent NVH performance despite wear accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of gear mesh load by introducing an adjustable spring mechanism. This allows the load parameter to be modified to compensate for wear, maintaining optimal NVH performance. The spring retainer with adjustment features enables changing the spring compression, thereby adjusting the gear mesh load parameter to counteract wear-related degradation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for the spring system, then adjustment flexibility is increased, but device complexity and potential friction variation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spring retainer and adjustment features into a single integrated component. The spring retainer includes built-in adjustment features that allow the spring compression to be modified without requiring separate adjustment mechanisms. This consolidation reduces the number of parts while maintaining the necessary adaptability for adjusting the gear mesh load to compensate for wear.
3Ease of manufacture
If the spring retainer is not integrally formed, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision and friction consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The spring retainer is manufactured as a single integrally formed component that combines multiple functions: spring retention, positioning, and adjustment features. This integration ensures consistent geometry and friction characteristics across production, as the single-piece construction eliminates variability introduced by assembling multiple parts, while still allowing for manufacturing through appropriate forming processes.
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 maintains or adjusts the gear mesh load to reduce friction variation, enhancing the NVH, ride, and handling performance of the power steering system by minimizing wear-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
a spring disposed in a spring bore defined by the housing
Implementation Method 2
a floating bearing disposed proximate an end of the worm
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing adjustment assembly is provided. The assembly includes a worm engaged with a worm gear. The assembly also includes a worm bearing located proximate an end of the worm. The assembly further includes a spring disposed in a spring bore defined by the housing. The assembly yet further includes a compensation mechanism engaging the worm bearing and the spring, the compensation mechanism being adjustable to bias the worm bearing to maintain or adjust a gear mesh load between the worm gear and the worm, wherein compression of the spring adjusts the compensation mechanism biasing of the worm bearing. The assembly also includes a spring retainer comprising a pin retainer portion disposed within an interior of the spring, the pin retainer portion extending from a main body portion of the spring retainer.