Clippable shutter with a deflector skirt for a steering housing

Abstract

The invention concerns a device (1) for protecting a steering mechanism (2) of a vehicle, said device (1) comprising a housing element (5) defining a chamber (7) of which the wall (6) is perforated with at least one access opening (8), and a plastic cap (10) that shuts said access opening (8), said cap (10) having, along the director axis (XX′) thereof, a stepped structure comprising a hub (11), which is engaged in a bore (12) of the access opening (8) and carries a sealing lining (13) that engages with said bore (12), then a collar (14), of which the overall diameter (D14) is greater than the diameter (D12) of the bore (12), said collar (14) being engaged by snap-fitting into a stop groove (20) hollowed into the housing element (5), and forming a baffle deflector (21) of which the diameter (D21) is greater than that (D12) of the bore (12).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention concerns the general field of steering systems of vehicles, in particular power-assisted steering systems for motor vehicles, and more particularly the casings used for housing the steering mechanisms.BACKGROUND[0002]It is known to cover all or part of a steering mechanism, and in particular the gear transmission elements of such a mechanism, by a rigid casing which ensures guiding, protecting and / or maintaining in a lubricant said mechanism.[0003]In order to enable the setting-up or the maintenance of the mechanism, for example draining or filling the lubricant, the casing is provided with one or several access orifice(s), which of course must be closed, in normal operation, so as to guarantee sealing of the casing.[0004]To this end, threaded plugs, intended to be screwed in threaded ends of the access orifices, are generally used, or still further cowls provided with a plurality of peripheral fastening legs which are clamped by screws on ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention proposes a new system for closing the casing of a device or machine. The system is compact, lightweight, reliable, and effective in sealing. It uses a clippable plug that is simple, inexpensive, and easy to implement. The plug is designed to close access orifices quickly and easily. The system also includes a deflector that acts as a secondary baffle-type sealing member to protect the contact area between the orifice and the hub from water and other foreign objects. The plug is fastened and sealed simultaneously using a flange that ensures strong mechanical strength and visual inspection. Overall, the invention allows for fastening, sealing, and protection against water penetration in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

Problems solved by technology

However, this kind of closure is generally satisfactory from the functional point of view, but it may nonetheless present some drawbacks.

. . ) tends to complicate the assembly of the casing, and to increase its manufacturing cost, as well as its weight and its overall dimension.

Furthermore, it is generally difficult to check, in particular visually, the proper setting of the closure elements, and in particular the positioning of the seal, so that sealing defects may sometimes occur or subsist without being detected immediately, which may be detrimental to the proper operation and to the longevity of the steering system.

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