Abstract: A motor vehicle steering system includes a transmission ratio variable mechanism capable of changing a transmission ratio, and a steering-assist-force imparting mechanism. The transmission ratio variable mechanism is provided with an input member and an output member capable of rotation about a first axis, a first bearing ring for differentially rotatably coupling to each of the input and output member, a second bearing ring for rotatably supporting the first bearing ring via a rolling element, and an electric motor for rotation-driving the second bearing ring. A second axis that is a center line of the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring is inclined relative to the first axis.

Abstract: A steering apparatus includes an input shaft that transmits a steering force input from a steering wheel and an output shaft that transmits a steered force by which wheels are steered. The output shaft is arranged at a position that is radially offset from the input shaft. One of an eccentric cam and an adapting plate that form an eccentric pin mechanism is connected to the input shaft. The output shaft is connected to the other one of the eccentric cam and the adapting plate. A first connecting portion of the input shaft, which is connected to the eccentric pin mechanism, is connectable to a second connecting portion of the output shaft, which is connected to the eccentric pin mechanism.

Abstract: A steering-force transmitting apparatus including (a) an operating-member-side shaft; (b) a turning-device-side shaft offset from the operating-member-side shaft; and (c) a rotation transmitting mechanism having (c-1) an axially protruding portion provided in one of the two shafts and (c-2) a radially extending groove provided in the other of the two shafts such that the axially protruding portion is engaged in the radially extending groove. The rotation transmitting mechanism is configured to change a rotational phase difference between the two shafts while causing one of the two shafts to be rotated by rotation of the other of the two shafts. An axially end portion of a main body portion of one of the two shafts and an axially end portion of the other of the two shafts overlap with each other in the axial direction.

Abstract: In a manufacturing method for a hollow rack shaft, and a hollow rack shaft, a tubular member (23) having a planar flat portion (22) that is formed in part of a tubular body portion (21) is sandwiched and held between a cope (25) and a drag (26) that has a tooth-shaped portion (29) substantially symmetrical with rack teeth (7) so that a surface (22a) of the flat portion (22) is in contact with the tooth-shaped portion (29). A back die (14) having a plurality of protrusions (15) is arranged so that the protrusions (15) face groove portions (29a) of the tooth-shaped portion (29) across the flat portion (22), and the back die (14) is pressed against the flat portion (22) to form the rack teeth (7) to thereby manufacture the rack shaft.

Abstract: A steering apparatus includes a first shaft coupled to a steering wheel, a second shaft arranged to be eccentric relative to the first shaft, and a joint mechanism for coupling the first shaft and the second shaft to each other. The joint mechanism includes a cam having a cam groove that extends in a direction perpendicular to the first shaft, a cam follower that can slide in the cam groove, an eccentric pin for coupling the second shaft and the cam follower to each other at a position eccentric relative to the second shaft. An outer cylinder serving as a protective member is arranged concentrically with the eccentric pin, so as to surround the outer circumference of the eccentric pin. At least part of the eccentric pin and the outer cylinder is arranged in the cam groove.

Abstract: A steering apparatus includes an input shaft that transmits a steering force input from a steering wheel and an output shaft that transmits a steered force by which wheels are steered. The output shaft is arranged at a position that is radially offset from the input shaft. One of an eccentric cam and an adapting plate that form an eccentric pin mechanism is connected to the input shaft. The output shaft is connected to the other one of the eccentric cam and the adapting plate. A first connecting portion of the input shaft, which is connected to the eccentric pin mechanism, is connectable to a second connecting portion of the output shaft, which is connected to the eccentric pin mechanism.

Abstract: A steering apparatus includes: an input shaft that transmits a steering force input from a steering wheel; an output shaft that transmits a steered force by which wheels are steered; and an eccentric pin mechanism that includes an eccentric cam and an adapting plate. The output shaft is arranged at a position that is radially offset from the input shaft, and is connected to one of the eccentric cam and the adapting plate. The other one of the eccentric cam and the adapting plate is connected to the input shaft. A middle accommodation member that accommodates the eccentric pin mechanism is formed separately from an input-side accommodation member that accommodates the input shaft and an output-side accommodation member that accommodates the output shaft.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering system includes a transmission ratio variable mechanism capable of changing a transmission ratio, and a steering-assist-force imparting mechanism. The transmission ratio variable mechanism is provided with an input member and an output member capable of rotation about a first axis, a first bearing ring for differentially rotatably coupling to each of the input and output member, a second bearing ring for rotatably supporting the first bearing ring via a rolling element, and an electric motor for rotation-driving the second bearing ring. A second axis that is a center line of the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring is inclined relative to the first axis.

Abstract: A transmission ratio variable mechanism is provided with: an input member and an output member capable of rotation about a first axis; an inner race for differentially rotatably coupling to each member; an outer race for rotatably supporting the inner race via a rolling element; and a transmission ratio variable mechanism-use electric motor for rotation-driving the outer race. A second axis which is a center line of the inner race and the outer race is inclined to the first axis. A first concave-convex engaging section for engaging one side end surface of the inner race and a power transmission surface of the input member corresponding to the one end surface are arranged. There is provided a second concave-convex engaging section for engaging the other end surface of the inner race and a power transmission surface of the output member.

Abstract: A cam follower (70) includes an oval rotational body (72) which is rotationally supported on a fixed pin (71), and in which an outer circumferential shape thereof is an oval, a long axis of the oval is longer than a width of the cam groove (64), and a short axis of the oval is shorter than the width of the cam groove (64), the oval rotational body (72) being biased and being rotated by a biasing spring (77) in one direction about the fixed pin (71). As a consequence, when a steering wheel (39) is in a neutral position, the outer circumferential surface of the cam follower (70) comes into contact with both side surfaces (64S) of the cam groove (64) in the width direction of the cam groove (64) and gaps therebetween can be eliminated. As a result, neutral stability of the steering wheel and steering feeling during straightforward traveling are improved.

Abstract: A strain wave reduction gear and a variable transmission ratio steering apparatus move a flexible gear and a rigid gear differentially, even if the flexible gear is in a fractured state. According to the strain wave reduction gear, the flexspline mates with the inner side of the elliptical hole of the rigid cam via the flexible bearing; therefore, the flexspline maintains an elliptical shape that is similar to the elliptical hole and maintains the meshed state—even if the flexspline fractures. Therefore, when the rigid cam rotates, the mesh positions of the flexspline and the first and second circular splines can be shifted in a circumferential direction. Namely, even in a state wherein the flexspline is fractured, the first circular spline and the second circular spline can be moved differentially by the difference in their tooth counts.

Abstract: A pressure sensor 11 is provided with a connecter housing 30 having a pressure sensing element 20 arranged on an end surface thereof, a sensor housing 40 constructed to have the connecter housing 30 inserted thereinto, a pressure chamber 452 defined between the end surface of the connecter housing 30 and the sensor housing 40, and a compensation circuit 21 for performing the processing and operation of a measured signal of the pressure sensing element 20 to output the measured signal.

Abstract: A turning device that can be combined with a suspension mechanism without requiring significant modification to existing suspension mechanisms, and that provides a compact design when combined with a suspension mechanism. In a turning device according to the present invention, a main device unit, containing a turning motor and a differential speed reducer, and a turning output member that rotates relative to the main device unit are positioned roughly co-axially with a kingpin shaft. This makes it possible to reduce the amount by which the turning device projects in the direction perpendicular to the kingpin shaft. As a result, compared to conventional technologies, the turning device can be combined without significantly modifying the structure of an existing double wishbone suspension mechanism, and the overall structure that combines the double wishbone suspension mechanism and the turning device can be made compact.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is provided with a semiconductor device that is capable of detecting a pressure, a terminal that is connected to the semiconductor device by a bonding wire, a housing having an accommodation space for the semiconductor device, the bonding wire, and the terminal, a diaphragm for sealing the accommodation space, and working fluid that is sealed in the accommodation space and transmits a pressure applied to the diaphragm to the semiconductor device. The working fluid is silicone-based oil, and the terminal and the housing are sealed by fluorine-based adhesive.

Abstract: A pressure sensor 11 is provided with a connecter housing 30 having a pressure sensing element 20 arranged on an end surface thereof, a sensor housing 40 constructed to have the connecter housing 30 inserted thereinto, a pressure chamber 452 defined between the end surface of the connecter housing 30 and the sensor housing 40, and a compensation circuit 21 for performing the processing and operation of a measured signal of the pressure sensing element 20 to output the measured signal.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is provided with a semiconductor device that is capable of detecting a pressure, a terminal that is connected to the semiconductor device by a bonding wire, a housing having an accommodation space for the semiconductor device, the bonding wire, and the terminal, a diaphragm for sealing the accommodation space, and working fluid that is sealed in the accommodation space and transmits a pressure applied to the diaphragm to the semiconductor device. The working fluid is silicone-based oil, and the terminal and the housing are sealed by fluorine-based adhesive.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is constructed to include a sensor housing formed of metal, and a connector housing mainly formed of synthetic resin. The connector housing includes a shoulder portion thereof in the form of a metal plate having an inner and an outer periphery thereof. On the shoulder portion, there is formed a juncture of the sensor and connector housing as a result of joining the sensor and connector housing by curling a projecting portion or one of two end portions of the sensor housing toward the shoulder portion. Wherein, the curling is performed under engagement of the sensor and connector housing therebetween, for assembling the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A pressure detection device for detecting pressure of fluid that comprises a housing, a pressure-transmission medium, a sensor chip, at least one terminal pin, a sealant and a film. The pressure of the fluid is transmitted to the pressure-transmission medium such as silicone oil, and the sensor chip detects the pressure of the pressure-transmission medium. The terminal pin for the electrical connection between the sensor chip and an outside device is fixed into the housing, and a contact protrusion that is exposed in the housing for being electrically connected with the sensor chip is formed at one end of the terminal pin. The sealant such as poly-monochloro-para-xylylene is put around the contact protrusion for sealing the pressure-transmission medium. The film such as poly-monochloro-para-xylylene for avoiding the contact between the pressure-transmission medium and the sealant is coating the sealant.

Abstract: A pressure detection device for detecting an increase of pressure acting thereon includes an electrically conductive device housing which has an accommodation bore extending inward from one end of the device housing and a slide bare extending between the accommodation bore and the other end of the device housing. A piston is slidably disposed within the slide bore and adopted to receive a pressure, and a terminal serving as one electric contact is fixed to the accommodation bore via an electrical insulator. A disk spring serving as the other electric contact deforms due to a pressing force of the piston and coming in contact with the terminal. The pressure detection device further comprises an electro-functional member attached to either the terminal or the disk spring in which the electro-functional member is changeable its electric resistance due to an impressed pressing force acting thereon.

Abstract: A pressure switch includes a switch housing which has an accommodation bore extending inward from one end of the switch housing, and a slide bore extending between the accommodation bore and the other end of the switch housing. A piston is slidably disposed within the slide bore and is adapted to receive a pressure. A terminal serving as one electric contact is fixed to the accommodation bore via a holding ring made of an insulating material. A disk spring serving as the other electric contact is disposed between the piston and the terminal. The disk spring deforms due to a pressing force of the piston and comes in contact with the terminal. The pressure switch further comprises an annular elastic ring placed on the outer end of the holding ring. An end portion of the switch housing is deformed inward so as to elastically deform the elastic ring, thereby sealing the opening portion of the accommodation bore.