Patent ID: 6749040
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
An electric motor assisted steering apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:a rack having an axis defining an axial direction and a length thereof, said rack adapted to turning of a set of road wheels, said rack supported at only two support locations along said length; a steering wheel and column, said steering wheel and column adapted to move said rack back and forth along said axial direction so as to turn said road wheels; an electric motor; a screw mechanism adapted to convert rotational motion into axial movement of said rack said screw mechanism is adapted to permit small angular movement around a point coinciding with the axis of said rack and axially displaced at where said screw mechanism is located along said rack; said electric motor removably mounted so as to be substantially easily replaceable without removal of said rack; said electric motor adapted to rotate said screw mechanism through a gear ratio; means for detecting a turning motion applied to said steering wheel by an operator of the vehicle; and a controller for empowering said electric motor in response to said detected turning motion.