ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING SYSTEM WITH A NOVEL AXIAL BEARING

摘要

The invention relates to a bearing for a ball screw drive nut in vehicle steering systems. Conventional bearings for ball screw drive nuts are generally characterized by the use of grooved ball bearings. The substantial strain in the steering systems is due to translational forces, for which the grooved ball bearings are not very suitable. Other solutions, for example, with four-point bearings or expensive individual solutions, restrict flexibility of design and lead to an unjustified additional expense. According to the invention, the bearing for ball drive screw nuts is designed in a manner conforming to requirements, using line-contacting rolling bodies with a high bearing capacity, preferably by means of roller bearings and needle-roller assemblies. Necessary installation is conducted by simple handling, which may be performed by trained personnel. This results in steering systems with increased rigidity and structural flexibility of design.