Patent ID: 6491131
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: B62D,F16C,F16D,F16H,H02K

Abstract:
An electric power assisted steering system comprising a housing, an electric motor fixed relative to said housing and having a stator and a rotor, an input shaft operatively connected to said rotor, an output shaft operatively connected to a steering column, and a torque sensor adapted to produce an output signal indicative of torque in said output shaft, said motor being adapted to apply a torque to said output shaft dependent upon said output signal from said torque sensor through a worm gear provided on said input shaft which is adapted to mesh with a wheel gear operatively connected to said output shaft, wherein said steering system further comprises a first bearing means which supports said input shaft relative to said housing at its end distal from said motor and a leaf spring which is adapted to act upon said first bearing means to bias said input shaft towards said wheel gear.