DE-102025146262-A1 - STEERING SYSTEM WITH BEARING FOR A RACK AND NUT ASSEMBLY

DE102025146262A1DE 102025146262 A1DE102025146262 A1DE 102025146262A1DE-102025146262-A1

Abstract

A steering assembly comprises: a rack configured to be linearly movable; a nut rotatably coupled to the rack, the rack moving linearly in conjunction with the rotation of the nut; a bearing configured to assist the rotation of the nut, the bearing comprising an outer ring having a flange portion projecting from an outer surface of the bearing's outer ring; and a rack housing accommodating at least a portion of the rack, the nut, and the bearing, and having a groove recessed by an inner surface of the rack housing. The flange portion projecting from the outer surface of the bearing's outer ring is positioned within the groove recessed by the inner surface of the rack housing.

Inventors

Troy STRIETER
Joshua GROVE
Connor STARK

Assignees

HL MANDO CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20251110
Priority Date: 20251104

Claims (20)

Steering arrangement comprising: a rack configured to be linearly movable; a nut rotatably coupled to the rack, the rack moving linearly in conjunction with the rotation of the nut; a bearing configured to assist the rotation of the nut, the bearing comprising an outer ring having a flange portion projecting from an outer surface of the outer ring of the bearing; and a rack housing accommodating at least a section of the rack, the nut, and the bearing, and having a groove recessed by an inner surface of the rack housing, the flange portion projecting from the outer surface of the outer ring of the bearing being located in the groove recessed by the inner surface of the rack housing.
Steering arrangement according to Claim 1 , further comprising a first elastic support which elastically supports the flange part of the outer ring of the bearing, wherein at least a part of the first elastic support together with the flange part of the outer ring of the bearing is arranged in the groove which is recessed by the inner surface of the rack housing.
Steering arrangement according to Claim 1 , further comprising a second elastic support that elastically supports a side surface of the outer ring of the bearing, wherein the second elastic support is positioned between the rack housing and the side surface of the outer ring of the bearing.
Steering arrangement according to Claim 2 , wherein the first elastic support that elastically supports the flange part of the outer ring of the bearing is a spring.
Steering arrangement according to Claim 2 , wherein the first elastic support, which elastically supports the flange part of the outer ring of the bearing, has a wave-ring shape.
Steering arrangement according to Claim 3 , wherein the second elastic support, positioned between the rack housing and the side surface of the outer ring of the bearing, is a spring.
Steering arrangement according to Claim 3 , wherein the second elastic support, which is positioned between the rack housing and the side surface of the outer ring of the bearing, has a wave ring shape.
Steering arrangement according to Claim 1 , wherein an inner ring of the bearing and the nut are integrated as a single cylinder part, the inner ring of the bearing is formed on an outer section of the single cylinder part, and an inner section of the single cylinder part is at least partially provided with a thread in order to be operationally coupled to the steering rack.
Steering arrangement according to Claim 8 , further comprising a pulley provided on the outer section of the individual cylinder part.
Steering arrangement according to Claim 9 , further comprising a support that supports one side of the pulley, wherein part of the support is arranged in a groove recessed by an outer surface of the outer section of the single cylinder part.
Steering arrangement according to Claim 10 , wherein the support, which is arranged in the groove recessed by the outer surface of the outer section of the single cylinder part, has a ring shape.
Steering arrangement according to Claim 10 , wherein the support, which is arranged in the groove recessed by the outer surface of the outer section of the single cylinder part, has a wave spring.
Steering arrangement according to Claim 1 , wherein: the rack housing comprises a first housing part and a second housing part which are coupled together, a first groove section of the groove is formed at an end section of the first housing part and a second groove section of the groove is formed at an end section of the second housing part, and the flange part which projects from the outer surface of the outer ring of the bearing is arranged in the groove, which is formed by the first and second groove sections, which are formed at the end sections of the first and second housing parts.
A steer-by-wire system comprising: a first drive unit comprising a first motor; a second drive unit comprising a second motor; a nut operationally coupled to the first motor of the first drive unit and the second motor of the second drive unit; a rack operationally coupled to the nut, the rack being configured to be linearly movable in conjunction with the rotation of the nut; a bearing configured to assist the rotation of the nut, comprising an outer ring having a flange portion projecting from an outer surface of the outer ring of the bearing; and a rack housing that accommodates at least one section of the rack, the nut and the bearing, wherein the rack housing has a groove recessed by an inner surface of the rack housing, whereby the flange portion projecting from the outer surface of the outer ring of the bearing is arranged in the groove recessed by the inner surface of the rack housing.
Steer-by-wire system according to Claim 14 , further comprising a first elastic support which elastically supports the flange part of the outer ring of the bearing, wherein at least a part of the first elastic support together with the flange part of the outer ring of the bearing is arranged in the groove which is recessed by the inner surface of the rack housing.
Steer-by-wire system according to Claim 14 , further comprising a second elastic support that elastically supports a side surface of the outer ring of the bearing, wherein the second elastic support is positioned between the rack housing and the side surface of the outer ring of the bearing.
Steer-by-wire system according to Claim 14 , wherein an inner ring of the bearing and the nut are integrated as a single cylinder part, the inner ring of the bearing is formed on an outer section of the single cylinder part, and an inner section of the single cylinder part is at least partially provided with a thread in order to be operationally coupled to the rack.
Steer-by-wire system according to Claim 17 , further comprising a pulley provided on the outer section of the individual cylinder part.
Steer-by-wire system according to Claim 18 , further comprising a support that supports one side of the pulley, wherein part of the support is arranged in a groove recessed by an outer surface of the outer section of the single cylinder part.
Steer-by-wire system according to Claim 14 , wherein: the rack housing comprises a first housing part and a second housing part which are coupled together, a first groove section of the groove is formed at an end section of the first housing part and a second groove section of the groove is formed at an end section of the second housing part, and the flange part which projects from the outer surface of the outer ring of the bearing is arranged in the groove formed by the first and second groove sections formed at the end sections of the first and second housing parts.

Description

This application claims the benefits of the US patent application filed on November 10, 2024, with serial number 63/718,733 with the title “ Dual Belt Drive Steer-By-Wire Road Wheel Actuator with Integrated 4 Point Bearing RBNA Support” and on April 4th . US patent application filed in November 2025 with serial number 19/379,663 with the title “ STEERING SYSTEM HAVING BEARING FOR RACK AND NUT ASSEMBLY “. BACKGROUND Various embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a steering system for a vehicle and in particular to a steering system with a bearing for a rack and nut arrangement. Vehicles require a steering system to control their direction of travel. Previously, mechanical steering systems were used. These systems typically involve a mechanical linkage or connection between a steering wheel and the vehicle's wheels. For example, in a conventional steering system consisting of a steering wheel, steering column, power-assisted rack and pinion system, the driver turns the steering wheel, which, through the various mechanical components, causes the vehicle's wheels to turn. Thus, the movement of the steering wheel causes a corresponding movement of the wheels. The movement of such mechanical systems is often power-assisted through the use of hydraulic assists or electric motors. Mechanical steering systems are expected to be replaced or supplemented by electrically driven steering systems, commonly known as "steer-by-wire" systems. Such steer-by-wire systems replace, to varying degrees, the mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and the vehicle's wheels with one or more sensors, actuators, and electronics. The steer-by-wire system aims to eliminate the physical or mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the vehicle's wheels, changing the direction of the vehicle's wheels and providing feedback to the driver through the use of electrically controlled motors. Although the mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and the vehicle's wheels has been eliminated, the steer-by-wire system is expected not only to produce the same functions and steering feel as a conventional mechanically coupled steering system, but also to implement advanced steering system features. Requirements for conventional steering functions and advanced steering features, such as adjustable steering feel, can be implemented through an advanced control system design. With regard to these and other general considerations, the following embodiments have been described. Although relatively specific problems have been discussed, it is also understood that the embodiments should not be limited to solving the specific problems identified in the background. SUMMARY The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more easily understood and become apparent from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and from the claims attached at the end of the detailed description. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a steering arrangement may comprise: a rack configured to be linearly movable; a nut rotatably coupled to the rack, the rack moving linearly in conjunction with the rotation of the nut; a bearing configured to assist the rotation of the nut, the bearing having an outer ring having a flange portion projecting from an outer surface of the outer ring of the bearing; and a rack housing accommodating at least a section of the rack, the nut, and the bearing, and having a groove recessed by an inner surface of the rack housing, the flange portion projecting from the outer surface of the outer ring of the bearing being arranged in the groove recessed by the inner surface of the rack housing. The steering arrangement may further comprise a first elastic support that elastically supports the flange part of the outer ring of the bearing, wherein at least a part of the first elastic support is arranged together with the flange part of the outer ring of the bearing in the groove recessed by the inner surface of the rack housing. The steering arrangement may further comprise a second elastic support that elastically supports a side surface of the outer ring of the bearing, the second elastic support being positioned between the rack housing and the side surface of the outer ring of the bearing. The first elastic support that elastically supports the flange part of the outer ring of the bearing can be a spring. The first elastic support, which elastically supports the flange part of the outer ring of the bearing, can have a wave ring shape. The second elastic support, positioned between the rack housing and the side surface of the bearing's outer ring, can be a spring. The second elastic support, positioned between the rack housing and the side surface of the outer ring of the bearing, may have a wave-ring shape. An inner ring of the bearing and the nut can be integrated as a single cylindrical part, the inner ring of the bearing ca