Abstract: An electric power steering system (1) includes a tubular sensor housing (34) which accommodates a torque sensor (20), a gear housing (32) which accommodates a speed reduction mechanism (24), and an upper bearing (40) and a lower bearing (41) which rotatably support a steering shaft (3) on opposite sides of the speed reduction mechanism (24). The gear housing (32) includes a tubular lower housing (37) supporting the lower bearing (41), and an upper housing (36). The upper housing (36) includes an inner tube (67), an outer tube (68), and an annular connection wall (69) connecting the inner tube (67) and the outer tube (68). The outer tube (68) is press-fitted in the lower housing (37). The inner tube (67) is press-fitted to an inner periphery (72) of a lower portion (71) of the sensor housing (34), whereby the inner tube (67) has a reduced diameter. As a result, an outer ring (44) of the upper bearing (40) is tightly fitted and supported in the inner tube (67).

Abstract: An electric power steering system (1) includes a tubular sensor housing (34) which accommodates a torque sensor (20), a gear housing (32) which accommodates a speed reduction mechanism (24), and an upper bearing (40) and a lower bearing (41) which rotatably support a steering shaft (3) on opposite sides of the speed reduction mechanism (24). The gear housing (32) includes a tubular lower housing (37) supporting the lower bearing (41), and an upper housing (36). The upper housing (36) includes an inner tube (67), an outer tube (68), and an annular connection wall (69) connecting the inner tube (67) and the outer tube (68). The outer tube (68) is press-fitted in the lower housing (37). The inner tube (67) is press-fitted to an inner periphery (72) of a lower portion (71) of the sensor housing (34), whereby the inner tube (67) has a reduced diameter. As a result, an outer ring (44) of the upper bearing (40) is tightly fitted and supported in the inner tube (67).

Abstract: An upper bracket for mounting a column to a vehicle body includes a column support portion which is press-fitted on an outer periphery of the column through axial press-fitting action with a predetermined interference between the column and the column support portion. Hence, the column is in relative press-fit relation to the bracket and is normally in pressure contact with the column support portion. Therefore, if a secondary collision exerts an impact force on the column pushing the column in the axial direction, the column is moved as generating strong friction with the column support portion. Accordingly, the impact energy of the secondary collision is attenuated by the friction. Thus, a shock absorbing steering apparatus featuring a simple structure ensuring a stable operation can be provided.

Abstract: A torque detector includes: a monolithic tubular housing for supporting a rotating shaft, including an opening at one end in a longitudinal direction; a sensor holding hole for holding a sensor part detecting a rotating torque exerted on the rotating shaft, which is provided inside the housing and communicates with the opening; a board chamber for accommodating a circuit board outputting a signal corresponding to the detected rotating torque, which is provided inside the housing and communicates with the opening; a partition wall between the sensor holding hole and the board chamber; and a lead hole passing through the partition wall, into which a lead connecting the sensor part to the circuit board is inserted and which communicates with the opening. The housing is formed by drawing a sheet material in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A torque detector includes: a monolithic tubular housing for supporting a rotating shaft, including an opening at one end in a longitudinal direction; a sensor holding hole for holding a sensor part detecting a rotating torque exerted on the rotating shaft, which is provided inside the housing and communicates with the opening; a board chamber for accommodating a circuit board outputting a signal corresponding to the detected rotating torque, which is provided inside the housing and communicates with the opening; a partition wall between the sensor holding hole and the board chamber; and a lead hole passing through the partition wall, into which a lead connecting the sensor part to the circuit board is inserted and which communicates with the opening. The housing is formed by drawing a sheet material in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A torque detector includes: a monolithic tubular housing for supporting a rotating shaft, including an opening at one end in a longitudinal direction; a sensor holding hole for holding a sensor part detecting a rotating torque exerted on the rotating shaft, which is provided inside the housing and communicates with the opening; a board chamber for accommodating a circuit board outputting a signal corresponding to the detected rotating torque, which is provided inside the housing and communicates with the opening; a partition wall between the sensor holding hole and the board chamber; and a lead hole passing through the partition wall, into which a lead connecting the sensor part to the circuit board is inserted and which communicates with the opening. The housing is formed by drawing a sheet material in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: There is provided a worm speed change apparatus comprising a worm shaft and a worm wheel meshed therewith. Rolling elements are rotatably disposed between a raceway groove formed directly in at least one of end portions of the worm shaft, and a bearing outer ring held by a housing. The worm shaft is directly supported by the rolling elements.

Abstract: A magnetic first detecting cylinder covers a magnetism leakage preventing member covering a first shaft. A second detecting cylinder is rotated along with a second shaft connected to the first shaft and one end thereof is opposed to one end of the first detecting cylinder with a clearance. A reluctance with respect to a passing magnetic flux in a first magnetic circuit constituted by generating the magnetic flux passing the first detecting cylinder and the second detecting cylinder by a first coil, is changed in accordance with an elastic relative rotational amount by a change in a transmitting torque of the two shafts. The magnetism leakage preventing member is molded from a synthetic resin material injected into a molding die. The first shaft and the first detecting cylinder are integrated to the magnetism leakage preventing member molded by being inserted into the molding die before injecting the synthetic resin material.

Abstract: A torque detector includes: a monolithic tubular housing for supporting a rotating shaft, including an opening at one end in a longitudinal direction; a sensor holding hole for holding a sensor part detecting a rotating torque exerted on the rotating shaft, which is provided inside the housing and communicates with the opening; a board chamber for accommodating a circuit board outputting a signal corresponding to the detected rotating torque, which is provided inside the housing and communicates with the opening; a partition wall between the sensor holding hole and the board chamber; and a lead hole passing through the partition wall, into which a lead connecting the sensor part to the circuit board is inserted and which communicates with the opening. The housing is formed by drawing a sheet material in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A magnetic first detecting cylinder covers a magnetism leakage preventing member covering a first shaft. A second detecting cylinder is rotated along with a second shaft connected to the first shaft and one end thereof is opposed to one end of the first detecting cylinder with a clearance. A reluctance with respect to a passing magnetic flux in a first magnetic circuit constituted by generating the magnetic flux passing the first detecting cylinder and the second detecting cylinder by a first coil, is changed in accordance with an elastic relative rotational amount by a change in a transmitting torque of the two shafts. The magnetism leakage preventing member is molded from a synthetic resin material injected into a molding die. The first shaft and the first detecting cylinder are integrated to the magnetism leakage preventing member molded by being inserted into the molding die before injecting the synthetic resin material.

Abstract: A steering locking device has an annular clearance provided between a steering shaft and a collar surrounding the steering shaft. A spacer is press-fitted in the annular clearance, to form a circular arc shape surrounding the steering shaft. The spacer is wound around the steering shaft from the outside of the collar through the opening of the collar. When a locking member supported on a locking device main body is at a locked position, the collar is prevented from being rotated. When a torque applied to the steering shaft is not more than a predetermined torque, the spacer prevents the relative rotation between the steering shaft and the collar.

Abstract: There is provided a worm speed change apparatus comprising a worm shaft and a worm wheel meshed therewith. Rolling elements are rotatably disposed between a raceway groove formed directly in at least one of end portions of the worm shaft, and a bearing outer ring held by a housing. The worm shaft is directly supported by the rolling elements.

Abstract: A steering locking device has an annular clearance provided between a steering shaft and a collar surrounding the steering shaft. A spacer is press-fitted in the annular clearance, to form a circular arc shape surrounding the steering shaft. The spacer is wound around the steering shaft from the outside of the collar through the opening of the collar.

Abstract: An electronic power steering apparatus according to the present invention uses hypoid gears having a larger gear on a steering assisting motor side and a smaller gear on a pinion shaft side as a transmission device for transmitting a rotational force of the motor to the pinion shaft or a column shaft, thereby reducing a shaft-to-shaft distance required between the motor and the pinion shaft. Further, rack teeth, which have a pressure angle that reduces toward both of the ends of a moving stroke of a rack shaft, are formed on the rack shaft that engages the pinion gear so that an insufficient steering assisting force is supplemented at the stroke ends, that is, at a large steering range; thus, it is possible to miniaturize the motor. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce a space occupied by the motor on the periphery of the column shaft or the pinion shaft, and consequently to allow easy installation inside the automobile room or the engine room.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus which includes: an input shaft connected to a steering wheel; a torque sensor mechanism having a torque sensor which detects a steering torque on the basis of a relative displacement of the input shaft and the output shaft connected to the input shaft via a torsion bar; and a reduction mechanism which reduces a rotation of a steering assisting electric motor driven on the basis of a result detected by the torque sensor and transmits it to the output shaft. The torque sensor mechanism is arranged to the steering mechanism side from the reduction mechanism, so that an energy absorption stroke can be further made long without varying a mount point of the electric motor and a column mount length.

Abstract: In a motor operated power steering device, a drive shaft accommodation hole in a housing communicates with a opening for fitting a steering assistance power generation motor. In the accommodation hole, a drive shaft, which is driven by the motor, is supported by rolling bearings at two separate points along the axial direction. A steering shaft is linked to a driven gear which meshes with a driving gear provided around the outer circumference of the drive shaft. Around the outer circumference of the drive shaft, there is a ring shaped preload applying member, the outer circumference of which has a male threaded section. The preload applying member is screwed into a female threaded hole, which is concentric with the accommodation hole, in between the motor and the rolling bearing closest to the motor, so that it is able to apply preload along the axial direction to both rolling bearings.

Abstract: Rotation of a steering wheel (7) is transferred to a steering gear (17) via a pipe-like first shaft (2) and a second shaft (3), which is inserted in the first shaft (2) so that transfer of rotation between the two shafts (2), (3) and relative axial movement between the two shafts (2), (3) are allowable. A ball (23) inserted in a through hole (20) formed through the first shaft (2) is held by a recess (21) formed on the outer surface of the second shaft (3), so that a portion of the ball (23) is projected from the outer surface of the second shaft (3). The inner surface of the first shaft (2) is plasticly deformed by the ball (23) by displacing the recess (21) away from the through hole (20) to form a groove (25).