Patent ID: 7137476
Filing Date: 2006-11-21
Classification: B62D,F16F

Abstract:
1. A steer-by-wire vehicle steering apparatus, comprising: a housing having mounting portions fastened at respective fastener portions thereof to a vehicle body side at multiple locations; a steering shaft one end of which is rotatably retained within the housing; an operating member fastened to an other end of the steering shaft that projects from the housing, the operating member being rotatable together with the steering shaft; and a control portion electrically connected to a sensor that senses a manipulated variable of the operating member, for controlling steering of wheels in response to operation of the operating member; wherein: the fastener portions of the mounting portions are all disposed about a turning axis of the operating member, and the housing is elastically supported with the fastener portions of the mounting portions all fastened to the body side via rubber elastic bodies; the rubber elastic bodies in the fastener portions exhibit a highest overall spring constant in a direction of turning operation among every axis perpendicular to the operating member; the fastener portions of the mounting portions are situated outward of a circle of rotation described by a grip portion of the operating member during turning of the operating member, with respect the turning axis of the operating member; and the fastener portions of the mounting portions are established within ranges of 20°–70° and 110°–160° from a horizontal axis P in a clockwise direction about the turning axis of the operating member.