Steering Worm Gear Stopper Structure for Axial Impact Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing steering apparatuses face issues with noise generation and damage to bearings and worm gears due to axial impacts, leading to power loss and increased auditory fatigue.

Innovation Solution

A stopper is introduced in the driver of the steering apparatus, comprising an annular body with a through hole and protruding legs that restrict the movement of the damper in the axial direction of the worm gear, made of plastic material to reduce noise and prevent damage, while a snap ring supports the stopper to the driver housing to prevent elements from escaping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stopper is introduced to restrict damper movement and prevent bearing damage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing damage preventionVSAvoiddriver structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper is divided into multiple functional parts: an annular body portion that provides the basic stopping function, and multiple leg portions that extend radially to engage with the damper. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stopper is designed to be nested within the driver housing, with the annular body fitting inside the housing cavity and the legs extending into the space between the damper and housing. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization without increasing the overall driver footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the stopper is made of plastic material to reduce noise, then noise generation is reduced, but strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise generationVSAvoidstopper strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper is made of plastic material that combines noise reduction properties with sufficient mechanical strength. The plastic material absorbs impact energy and reduces noise generation while maintaining the structural integrity needed to restrict damper movement and prevent bearing damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If multiple legs are added to the stopper to restrict damper movement, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamper movement restrictionVSAvoidstopper manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper features multiple legs extending radially from the annular body, with each leg positioned at specific intervals around the circumference. This segmented structure provides reliable damper movement restriction in multiple directions while maintaining symmetry that simplifies the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12077223B2Stopper and driver for steering apparatus having the same

Publication Date: 2024.09.03 HL MANDO CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure is direction to a stopper disposed in a driver for a steering apparatus which includes a worm gear, a bearing supporting rotation of the worm gear, and a damper buffering an impact of the bearing is provided, the stopper including: an annular body having a through hole therein allowing one side of the worm gear to pass through; and a leg on the annular body to protrude toward the damper along an axial direction of the worm gear.