Electric power steering apparatus
US5927429A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 5, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 27, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 5, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D7/226
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An electric power steering apparatus for applying an auxiliary torque generated in proportion to a steering torque, to a rack shaft to thereby reduce the steering torque. The rack shaft has at one end thereof rack teeth for meshing with a pinion. A rack guide mechanism is provided at the rack shaft one end oppositely from the rack teeth, for urging the rack shaft to the pinion. At the other end of the rack shaft, a screw portion and a ball screw mechanism are provided. A bush is provided for supporting an intermediate portion of the rack shaft to thereby restrict the bending of the intermediate portion beyond a predetermined value when an external force is applied to the rack shaft ends thereby bending the rack shaft intermediate portion. As a result, the vibration of the rack shaft and hence a steering wheel can be minimized.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.