Patent ID: 6041885
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
An electric power steering apparatus for a vehicle comprising:a rack shaft extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle and having a rack of gear teeth provided at a portion of a peripheral surface of one end portion thereof and an externally threaded screw provided at the other end portion thereof;a pinion meshing with said rack and rotatable to reciprocate said rack shaft in a longitudinal direction thereof;a rack guide disposed in confrontation with said pinion with said rack shaft disposed therebetween and resiliently urged against said rack shaft to support said one end portion of said rack shaft between said rack guide and said pinion while guiding reciprocating movement of said rack shaft;an electric motor for generating an assist torque corresponding to a steering torque;a nut threadedly mounted on said screw of said rack shaft for supporting said other end portion of said rack shaft and being rotatably driven by said electric motor for applying said assist torque to said rack shaft; anda damping bearing slidably fitted around said rack shaft to support a portion of said rack shaft located intermediately between said rack guide and said nut.