Abstract: There is provided a control device for an electric power steering device, which determines an estimate of a steering angle instead of using an angle sensor when any abnormality is detected in the angle sensor to perform steering angle control using the determined estimate of the steering angle. When it is determined that the detected steering angle is normal based on a steering angle abnormality determination signal Flg_?h, a steering angle calculating section 201 outputs a steering-wheel angle ?h as an actual steering angle ?r, while when it is determined that the detected steering angle is abnormal, the steering angle calculating section 201 determines and outputs an estimate ?r of an actual steering angle using a past value Z?r of the actual steering angle under normal conditions, a motor relative angle ??m, and a relative twist angle ?? of a torsion bar.

Abstract: There is provided a control device for an electric power steering device, which determines an estimate of a steering angle instead of using an angle sensor when any abnormality is detected in the angle sensor to perform steering angle control using the determined estimate of the steering angle. When it is determined that the detected steering angle is normal based on a steering angle abnormality determination signal Flg_?h, a steering angle calculating section 201 outputs a steering-wheel angle ?h as an actual steering angle ?r, while when it is determined that the detected steering angle is abnormal, the steering angle calculating section 201 determines and outputs an estimate ?r of an actual steering angle using a past value Z?r of the actual steering angle under normal conditions, a motor relative angle ??m, and a relative twist angle ?? of a torsion bar.

Abstract: Provided is construction of a steering apparatus for an automobile that is capable of simplifying tuning for stabilizing forward displacement in the forward direction of a steering wheel during a secondary collision, and preventing damage to the component members of the section that supports a bracket 12b on the column side with respect to the bracket 11 on the vehicle side. In construction where the bracket on the vehicle side 11 and the bracket 12b on the column side are connected at only one location in the center section in the width direction of the both brackets by a locking capsule, the top edges of a pair of protruding sections 63 that protrude to both the left and right sides of the bracket 12b on the column side closely face the bottom edge of a bent section 56 of the bracket 11 on the vehicle side.

Abstract: Structure of a cross universal joint is achieved in which the fact that an excessive torque was applied to a universal joint due to a collision accident or mishandling can be easily determined afterwards. Protrusions 20, which are straight lines as seen from the outside surface sides of linking arm sections 15c of a yoke 12c, are formed on the outside surfaces of the linking arm sections 15c. When an excessive torque acts and the linking arm sections 15c are plastically deformed, the protrusions 20 change from a straight line to a non-straight line. From this change it is possible to easily confirm that an excessive torque has been applied to a cross universal joint that includes this yoke 12c. Moreover, when the space between the inside surfaces of the linking arm sections 15c is taken to be D, and the length in the axial direction of the linking arm sections 15c is taken to be L, the dimensions of the parts of the yoke 12c are regulated so that the relation 3<L/D?4 is satisfied.

Abstract: The present invention provides construction that keeps the load required for a locking capsule 50d that is supported by the steering column to come out in the forward direction from a locking hole 48b that is formed in a fastening bracket 11e on the vehicle side low. Small through holes 52e are formed in a flange section 51d of the locking capsule 50d. Small notch sections 62a that are each open toward the inside of the locking hole 48b are formed in portions of the fastening bracket 11e on the vehicle side around the locking hole 48b that are aligned with each of the small through holes 52e. Injection molding is performed to inject synthetic resin 72 such that the synthetic resin 72 spans between these small through holes 48b and small notch sections 62a, and connects the locking capsule 50d and the fastening bracket 11e on the vehicle side.

Abstract: Structure of a cross universal joint is achieved in which the fact that an excessive torque was applied to a universal joint due to a collision accident or mishandling can be easily determined afterwards. Protrusions 20, which are straight lines as seen from the outside surface sides of linking arm sections 15c of a yoke 12c, are formed on the outside surfaces of the linking arm sections 15c. When an excessive torque acts and the linking arm sections 15c are plastically deformed, the protrusions 20 change from a straight line to a non-straight line. From this change it is possible to easily confirm that an excessive torque has been applied to a cross universal joint that includes this yoke 12c. Moreover, when the space between the inside surfaces of the linking arm sections 15c is taken to be D, and the length in the axial direction of the linking arm sections 15c is taken to be L, the dimensions of the parts of the yoke 12c are regulated so that the relation 3<L/D?4 is satisfied.

Abstract: Provided is a steering column support apparatus that simplifies tuning for stabilizing the forward displacement of the steering wheel during a secondary collision, and suppresses the absolute value and variation of the break away load without strong rubbing between the bracket 11 on the vehicle side and the bracket 33 on the column side. By forming an extending section 57 on the top plate section 55 of the bracket 33 on the column side, and a convex curved surface 58 on the top surface of the front end section of that extending section 57, a rise in contact pressure at the area of contact that occurs when the edge on the front end of the top surface of the top plate section 55 is pressed against the bottom surface of the bracket 11 on the vehicle side by a moment that is applied from the steering column 6c to the bracket 33 on the column side during a secondary collision is suppressed.

Abstract: An assembly method for a steering column support apparatus is achieved that simplifies tuning for stabilizing forward displacement of a steering wheel during a secondary collision, eliminates space in the engagement section between a bracket 11 on the vehicle side and a locking capsule 47a, and suppresses rocking displacement of the steering column due to that space. Of a plurality of small through holes 49a, 49b on the capsule side and a plurality of small notch sections 55a, 55b, part of the small through holes 49a and the small notch sections 55a are aligned, and pin shaped members 58 are formed so as to span these small through holes and small notch sections. After that, the locking capsule 47a and bracket 11 on the vehicle side are put into the final assembled position, shearing the pin shaped members 58 in the process.

Abstract: A steering column support apparatus that is capable of simplifying tuning for stabilizing forward displacement of a steering wheel during a secondary collision, keeping material costs, processing costs and assembly costs of an energy absorbing member low, and when necessary, preventing the steering wheel from dropping down excessively during a secondary collision. A locking capsule 47 that is fastened to a bracket 3 on the column side is held inside a locking hole 45 of a bracket 11b on the vehicle side that is fastened to the vehicle body by a plurality of connecting members that shear during a secondary collision. An energy absorbing member 53 is placed between the locking capsule 47 and the bracket 11b on the vehicle side. This energy absorbing member 53 is formed by bending a plastically deformable wire, and allows forward displacement of the locking capsule while absorbing impact energy that is applied to the locking capsule by plastically deforming during a secondary collision.

Abstract: Provided is construction of a steering column support apparatus that simplifies tuning for stabilizing the forward displacement of the steering wheel during a secondary collision, makes the apparatus more compact and low cost, and lowers and stabilizes the break away load. A bracket 12b on the column and a locking capsule 53 that are both made of metal plate are connected and fastened together by welding. A pair of left and right eave sections 56 are formed on both the left and right end sections of the locking capsule 53 by way of raised sections 55. The portion of the metal plate of a bracket 11 on the vehicle side on both sides of a locking hole 45 fits between the bottom surfaces of the eave sections 56 and the top surface of the bracket 12b on the column side so as to be able to break away during a secondary collision.

Abstract: An assembly method for a steering column support apparatus is achieved that simplifies tuning for stabilizing forward displacement of a steering wheel during a secondary collision, eliminates space in the engagement section between a bracket 11 on the vehicle side and a locking capsule 47a, and suppresses rocking displacement of the steering column due to that space. Of a plurality of small through holes 49a, 49b on the capsule side and a plurality of small notch sections 55a, 55b, part of the small through holes 49a and the small notch sections 55a are aligned, and pin shaped members 58 are formed so as to span these small through holes and small notch sections. After that, the locking capsule 47a and bracket 11 on the vehicle side are put into the final assembled position, shearing the pin shaped members 58 in the process.

Abstract: The present invention provides construction that keeps the load required for a locking capsule 50d that is supported by the steering column to come out in the forward direction from a locking hole 48b that is formed in a fastening bracket 11e on the vehicle side low. Small through holes 52e are formed in a flange section 51d of the locking capsule 50d. Small notch sections 62a that are each open toward the inside of the locking hole 48b are formed in portions of the fastening bracket 11e on the vehicle side around the locking hole 48b that are aligned with each of the small through holes 52e. Injection molding is performed to inject synthetic resin 72 such that the synthetic resin 72 spans between these small through holes 48b and small notch sections 62a, and connects the locking capsule 50d and the fastening bracket 11e on the vehicle side.

Abstract: Provided is a steering column support apparatus that simplifies tuning for stabilizing the forward displacement of the steering wheel during a secondary collision, and suppresses the absolute value and variation of the break away load without strong rubbing between the bracket 11 on the vehicle side and the bracket 33 on the column side. By forming an extending section 57 on the top plate section 55 of the bracket 33 on the column side, and a convex curved surface 58 on the top surface of the front end section of that extending section 57, a rise in contact pressure at the area of contact that occurs when the edge on the front end of the top surface of the top plate section 55 is pressed against the bottom surface of the bracket 11 on the vehicle side by a moment that is applied from the steering column 6c to the bracket 33 on the column side during a secondary collision is suppressed.

Abstract: Provided is construction of a steering apparatus for an automobile that is capable of simplifying tuning for stabilizing forward displacement in the forward direction of a steering wheel during a secondary collision, and preventing damage to the component members of the section that supports a bracket 12b on the column side with respect to the bracket 11 on the vehicle side. In construction where the bracket on the vehicle side 11 and the bracket 12b on the column side are connected at only one location in the center section in the width direction of the both brackets by a locking capsule, the top edges of a pair of protruding sections 63 that protrude to both the left and right sides of the bracket 12b on the column side closely face the bottom edge of a bent section 56 of the bracket 11 on the vehicle side.

Abstract: A steering column support apparatus that is capable of simplifying tuning for stabilizing forward displacement of a steering wheel during a secondary collision, keeping material costs, processing costs and assembly costs of an energy absorbing member low, and when necessary, preventing the steering wheel from dropping down excessively during a secondary collision. A locking capsule 47 that is fastened to a bracket 3 on the column side is held inside a locking hole 45 of a bracket 11b on the vehicle side that is fastened to the vehicle body by a plurality of connecting members that shear during a secondary collision. An energy absorbing member 53 is placed between the locking capsule 47 and the bracket 11b on the vehicle side. This energy absorbing member 53 is formed by bending a plastically deformable wire, and allows forward displacement of the locking capsule while absorbing impact energy that is applied to the locking capsule by plastically deforming during a secondary collision.

Abstract: Provided is construction of a steering column support apparatus that simplifies tuning for stabilizing the forward displacement of the steering wheel during a secondary collision, makes the apparatus more compact and low cost, and lowers and stabilizes the break away load. A bracket 12b on the column and a locking capsule 53 that are both made of metal plate are connected and fastened together by welding. A pair of left and right eave sections 56 are formed on both the left and right end sections of the locking capsule 53 by way of raised sections 55. The portion of the metal plate of a bracket 11 on the vehicle side on both sides of a locking hole 45 fits between the bottom surfaces of the eave sections 56 and the top surface of the bracket 12b on the column side so as to be able to break away during a secondary collision.

Abstract: Deflectors (45b) of a nut (45) pick up balls (65) from a rolling passage (23b, 45f) in a tangential direction of the rolling passage and also in a direction of a lead angle thereof, and therefore the balls (65) can be picked up into a circulating passage (45c) without changing a direction of rolling of the balls, and therefore the smooth rolling can be secured, and operating sounds, vibrations, etc., can be kept to a low level.

Abstract: A tilt-type steering apparatus includes a steering column swingably supported by a tilt pivot shaft and rotatably supporting a steering shaft to which a steering wheel is attached, and a tilt bracket fixed to a vehicle body member and tiltably holding the steering column Stress cushioning member is disposed between the steering column and the tilt bracket.

Abstract: Both ends of a screw shaft 35 are supported on a vehicle body side bracket 19 so that only rotation is allowed. The screw shaft 35 is rotated by an electric motor 28. A nut member 44 is threadedly engaged with an intermediate portion of the screw shaft 35. The nut member 44 is held on inside of a nut holder 43. The nut holder 43 and nut member 44 are allowed to be shifted each other in longitudinal direction of the nut holder 43 which is perpendicular to both the shaft portion extending parallel to oscillation center axis of a steering column 4a and the axial direction of the screw shaft 35. The nut holder 43 is supported on the steering column 4a so as to be rotated about the shaft portion of the nut holder 43 relative to the steering column 4a.

Abstract: A telescopic adjusting electric power steering apparatus has a steering column 12 having an outer column 12a and an inner column 12b connected so as to be relatively extended and contracted, and rotatably supporting a steering shaft attaching a steering wheel 13 thereto; and an electric actuator 50 having one end portion attached to the outer column 12a and the other end portion attached to the inner column 12b, and extending and contracting the outer column 12a and the inner column 12b; wherein the electric actuator 50 has a rotation obstructing member 59 for obstructing relative rotation of the outer column 12a and the inner column 12b.