Electric power steering apparatus
US6550567B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 10, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2057/0224
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
On the outer periphery of a bearing 10 for supporting a worm 71 rotating interlocked with the rotation of a steering assist motor 6 inside the housing 8, elastic members 20 are provided to restrain the bearing 10 from moving in the radial direction thereof. The force for the restraint by the elastic members 20 is made different depending on the position in the peripheral direction thereof. A portion of the elastic member, wherein the force for restraining the movement of the bearing 10 in the radial direction is small, energizes the worm 71 to the meshing position of the worm 71 and a worm wheel 72. Another portion, wherein the force for restraining the movement is large, restrains the worm 71 from moving along the lead of the worm wheel 72. With this configuration, the elastic members 20 can reduce the amount of the backlash at the meshing portion of the worm 71 and the worm wheel 72, and can make the rotation torque applied to the meshing portion of the worm gears relatively small.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.