Electric steering actuator
US5957236A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D5/0445
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In an electric steering actuator comprising an electric motor having a hollow output shaft, a steering shaft passed through the hollow center of the output shaft of the electric motor, and a ball-screw mechanism provided between the output shaft and the steering shaft for converting the rotary movement of the output shaft into a longitudinal movement of the steering shaft, a rotation preventing mechanism is provided for preventing the rotation of the steering shaft around its axial line. The rotation preventing mechanism comprises a guide pin extending in the casing in parallel with the axial line of the steering shaft, and a fork member engaging the guide pin between two prongs thereof. Because the rotation preventing mechanism can be formed by using a guide pin made of a stock steel or other metallic member, such as a cold finished steel bar, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Furthermore by using a fork member defining an open slot for engagement with the guide pin, the assembling process is simplified, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost. In particular, by interposing a plastic slider between the pin and the fork member, metallic noises are avoided, and a smooth operati…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.