Patent ID: 6834742
Filing Date: 2004-12-28
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A vehicle steering apparatus:a variable gear ratio device which includes an input shaft connected to a steering wheel side and an output shaft connected to a turning wheel side, and which changes a ratio between a steering angle input to the input shaft and a rotational angle out put to the output shaft using rotation of a motor; a rotation detecting device which repeatedly outputs, as the motor rotates, a series of a predetermined number of different signals, the signals differing according to the rotation of the motor, so as to detect a rotational position of a rotating shaft of the motor; and a lock mechanism including a lock holder which rotates together with the rotating shaft of the motor, and in which plural indented portions are formed at an outer periphery portion thereof, and an engagement member which is fitted on a stator side of the motor, the lock mechanism restricting relative rotation of the input shaft and the output shaft by inserting the engagement member in one of the indented portions, wherein a play angle between the engagement member and the indented portion when the engagement member is inserted in the indented portion is smaller than a first rotational angle of the motor which is required for outputting all of the predetermined number of different signals.