Abstract: A structure of mounting a current sensor to a battery cable includes a battery cable, a thermal fusion bonding tape wound around an outer circumference of the battery cable, and a current sensor. The current sensor includes a housing including a current detecting part configured to detect a current flowing through the battery cable, and a holder configured to hold and compress a thermal fusion bonding tape mounting portion in cooperation with the housing to deform a cross-sectional shape of the thermal fusion bonding tape mounting portion into an elliptical shape. The thermal fusion bonding tape mounting portion is a portion where the thermal fusion bonding tape is wound around the battery cable. Upon a compression between the housing and the holder being released, the elliptical shape of the cross-sectional shape of the thermal fusion bonding tape mounting portion is maintained.

Abstract: A vehicle steering device (11) is provided that performs steering of a vehicle in response to operation of a steering wheel (13) operated when the traveling direction of the vehicle is changed. The vehicle steering device (11) includes a first steering assist device having a first steering torque sensor (23), a first assist motor (51), and a first EPS control unit (37), and a second steering assist device having a second steering torque sensor (25), a second assist motor (57), and a second EPS control unit (39). The first and second EPS control units (37, 39) perform driving control of the first and second assist motors (51, 57) independently from each other. Even if either one of the two control units (37, 39) respectively controlling driving of the two assist motors (51, 57) fails into an abnormal situation, such an abnormal situation can be brought under control quickly and soundly.

Abstract: In a vertical through hole of a rotational shaft, a first protrusion portion and a second protrusion portion protruding from an inner peripheral surface of the vertical through hole are provided in an axial direction of the through hole to form a storage area for storing oil, and discharge holes for directly discharging oil flowing over the first protrusion portion into the transaxle casing are provided in parallel with cooling holes.

Abstract: A column-assist type electric power steering device (10) is provided with: a steering shaft (22); a magnetostrictive type torque sensor (80) that detects a torque produced in the steering shaft (22); and bearings (64, 65) that rotatably support the steering shaft (22). The magnetostrictive type torque sensor (80) includes a magnetostrictive film (81) disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft (22), and a detection unit (83) that is disposed opposite the magnetostrictive film (81) and that detects a change in permeability. The bearings (64, 65) are installed at two locations in the axial direction of the steering shaft (22) in such a manner as to sandwich the detection unit (83).

Abstract: A power steering apparatus for a vehicle includes a column shaft, a column pipe rotatably supporting the column shaft through a plurality of bearings, and a torque sensor for detecting torque generated on the column shaft by using magnetism. The column pipe is composed of a steel pipe. The torque sensor includes a magnetically variable portion and a magnetic change detector. The magnetically variable portion is disposed on the column shaft and has a magnetic permeability that varies with the torque generated on the column shaft. The magnetic change detector is configured to detect a change in the magnetism of the magnetically variable portion. The magnetic change detector is attached to the column pipe by being inserted in an axial direction through an opening at an axial end of the column pipe.

Abstract: The steering device includes first and second motors for steering which have common electric characteristics; first and second current sensors detecting first and second current values in the first and second motor, respectively; and abnormality diagnosis units. The abnormality diagnosis units make an abnormality diagnosis indicating that the steering device is abnormal when difference between the first and second current values exceeds a predetermined threshold value. When some abnormality occurs in the current detecting units for detecting the magnitudes of a current flowing through the steering motor, an abnormality diagnosis is rapidly made by comparing the difference with the predetermined value.

Abstract: A worm gear mechanism (44) comprises a worm (70) and a worm wheel (80) meshed with the worm. In the teeth of a hob (90) used for the gear cutting of the worm wheel, at least the addendum surfaces (91c) are formed into arcuate shapes. The radial centers (93) of the arcs of the addendum surfaces are positioned nearer to a center line (WL?) of the hob than a pitch line (94) of the hob. The worm wheel is cut into a gear by the hob. The worm is formed into the same shape as the hob. The recess meshing length (L) of the worm gear mechanism is designed to be greater than the recess meshing length (Llim) of a conventional worm gear mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle steering device (11) is provided that performs steering of a vehicle in response to operation of a steering wheel (13) operated when the traveling direction of the vehicle is changed. The vehicle steering device (11) includes a first steering assist device having a first steering torque sensor (23), a first assist motor (51), and a first EPS control unit (37), and a second steering assist device having a second steering torque sensor (25), a second assist motor (57), and a second EPS control unit (39). The first and second EPS control units (37, 39) perform driving control of the first and second assist motors (51, 57) independently from each other. Even if either one of the two control units (37, 39) respectively controlling driving of the two assist motors (51, 57) fails into an abnormal situation, such an abnormal situation can be brought under control quickly and soundly.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a motor control unit for controlling an electric motor operatively connected to a steering shaft. The motor control unit includes a first control unit for controlling a steering torque detected by a torque detecting unit so as to bring the steering torque to zero or to a first predetermined value, and a second control unit for controlling the steering torque detected by the torque detecting unit so as to bring the steering torque to a second predetermined value which is greater than zero or than the first predetermined value, based on an operational quantity detected by an operational-quantity detecting unit or a quantity representative of a vehicle behavior detected by a vehicle-behavior detecting unit. The motor control unit controls the electric motor based on an output signal from the first control unit and an output signal from the second control unit.

Abstract: A column-assist type electric power steering device (10) is provided with: a steering shaft (22); a magnetostrictive type torque sensor (80) that detects a torque produced in the steering shaft (22); and bearings (64, 65) that rotatably support the steering shaft (22). The magnetostrictive type torque sensor (80) includes a magnetostrictive film (81) disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft (22), and a detection unit (83) that is disposed opposite the magnetostrictive film (81) and that detects a change in permeability. The bearings (64, 65) are installed at two locations in the axial direction of the steering shaft (22) in such a manner as to sandwich the detection unit (83).

Abstract: Provided is an electric power steering apparatus capable of performing steering of a steering wheel with a comfortable steering feeling while stabilizing a vehicle behavior even in a vicinity of a steering neutral position. A first electric power steering apparatus includes a steering torque sensor for detecting a steering torque inputted by a driver, a steering angle sensor for detecting a steering angle of a steering wheel, a steering assist motor for applying a steering assist force to the steering wheel, and a drive control unit for performing drive control of the steering assist motor based on the steering torque and the steering angle. The drive control unit performs drive control of the steering assist motor based on the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor and hysteresis characteristics related to a steering reaction force associated with a change of the steering angle.

Abstract: A structure of mounting a current sensor to a battery cable includes a battery cable, a thermal fusion bonding tape wound around an outer circumference of the battery cable, and a current sensor. The current sensor includes a housing including a current detecting part configured to detect a current flowing through the battery cable, and a holder configured to hold and compress a thermal fusion bonding tape mounting portion in cooperation with the housing to deform a cross-sectional shape of the thermal fusion bonding tape mounting portion into an elliptical shape. The thermal fusion bonding tape mounting portion is a portion where the thermal fusion bonding tape is wound around the battery cable. Upon a compression between the housing and the holder being released, the elliptical shape of the cross-sectional shape of the thermal fusion bonding tape mounting portion is maintained.

Abstract: The steering device includes first and second motors for steering which have common electric characteristics; first and second current sensors detecting first and second current values in the first and second motor, respectively; and abnormality diagnosis units. The abnormality diagnosis units make an abnormality diagnosis indicating that the steering device is abnormal when difference between the first and second current values exceeds a predetermined threshold value. When some abnormality occurs in the current detecting units for detecting the magnitudes of a current flowing through the steering motor, an abnormality diagnosis is rapidly made by comparing the difference with the predetermined value.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive torque sensor includes first to fourth detection coils each wound around a steering axle (a sensor shaft) so as to surround a magnetostrictive film formed on the sensor shaft and a multi-turn winding bias coil that is separated from the first to fourth detection coils and that is wound around the sensor shaft so as to surround the magnetostrictive film. By applying a DC component current to the bias coil, a sufficient bias magnetic field is applied to the magnetostrictive film so that the hysteresis is prevented.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus for a vehicle includes a column shaft, a column pipe rotatably supporting the column shaft through a plurality of bearings, and a torque sensor for detecting torque generated on the column shaft by using magnetism. The column pipe is composed of a steel pipe. The torque sensor includes a magnetically variable portion and a magnetic change detector. The magnetically variable portion is disposed on the column shaft and has a magnetic permeability that varies with the torque generated on the column shaft. The magnetic change detector is configured to detect a change in the magnetism of the magnetically variable portion. The magnetic change detector is attached to the column pipe by being inserted in an axial direction through an opening at an axial end of the column pipe.

Abstract: Provided is an electric power steering apparatus capable of performing steering of a steering wheel with a comfortable steering feeling while stabilizing a vehicle behavior even in a vicinity of a steering neutral position. A first electric power steering apparatus includes a steering torque sensor for detecting a steering torque inputted by a driver, a steering angle sensor for detecting a steering angle of a steering wheel, a steering assist motor for applying a steering assist force to the steering wheel, and a drive control unit for performing drive control of the steering assist motor based on the steering torque and the steering angle. The drive control unit performs drive control of the steering assist motor based on the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor and hysteresis characteristics related to a steering reaction force associated with a change of the steering angle.

Abstract: Provided is an electric power steering device in which the operation feeling is improved without a decrease in commercial value. A phase compensation unit performs a frequency shift on a compensation frequency band compensated by the phase compensation unit. The phase compensation unit performs phase-shift in the compensation frequency band through a frequency shift process, instead of an increase in compensation gain. Therefore, it is possible to minimize occurrences of minute vibrations and abnormal noise in the steering system including the motor that accompany an increase in gain, and to improve the operation feeling and commercial value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plating device that has a plating tank that retains a plating fluid and carries out magnetic metal plating on a shaft shaped member immersed in the plating fluid as a negative electrode. The plating device is provided with: a plurality of shielding jigs that are fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft shaped member and regulate the part of the shaft shaped member being plated; and a positive electrode provided in the vicinity of the shaft shaped member and having an output part that faces the part being plated. A center position in the axial direction of the shaft shaped member for the part being plated and a center position of the output part are aligned within a prescribed allowable value for the center positions.

Abstract: A worm gear mechanism (44) comprises a worm (70) and a worm wheel (80) meshed with the worm. In the teeth of a hob (90) used for the gear cutting of the worm wheel, at least the addendum surfaces (91c) are formed into arcuate shapes. The radial centers (93) of the arcs of the addendum surfaces are positioned nearer to a center line (WL?) of the hob than a pitch line (94) of the hob. The worm wheel is cut into a gear by the hob. The worm is formed into the same shape as the hob. The recess meshing length (L) of the worm gear mechanism is designed to be greater than the recess meshing length (Llim) of a conventional worm gear mechanism.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive torque sensor includes first to fourth detection coils each wound around a steering axle (a sensor shaft) so as to surround a magnetostrictive film formed on the sensor shaft and a multi-turn winding bias coil that is separated from the first to fourth detection coils and that is wound around the sensor shaft so as to surround the magnetostrictive film. By applying a DC component current to the bias coil, a sufficient bias magnetic field is applied to the magnetostrictive film so that the hysteresis is prevented.