Patent ID: 6752237
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A rear wheel steering apparatus comprising:an electric motor for generating a rotational torque; an electric control device for controlling the rotation of the electric motor; a motion converting means for converting the rotational torque of the electric motor into a propulsion force in a direction of a width of a vehicle and connected to a rotational shaft of the electric motor; an output shaft for outputting the propulsion force in the direction of the width of the vehicle which is converted by the motion converting means; tie rods connecting between the output shaft and rear wheels and having a ball joint, respectively; a housing fixed to the vehicle and accommodating the electric motor, the motion converting means and the output shaft therein; a rear wheel steering angle detecting means for detecting a steering angle of the rear wheels steered by the output shaft; a regulating member connected to the housing and for prohibiting the output shaft from rotating while allowing the output shaft to move in an axial direction; a neutral return means for manually returning the rear wheels to a neutral position in the case of failure of the electric motor or the electric control device; a neutral return detecting means for detecting return of the output shaft to the neutral position and; a neutral return notification means for notifying the return of the output shaft to the neutral position.