Patent ID: 8443929
Filing Date: 2013-05-21
Classification: B62D,F16C,F16H

Abstract:
1. A power steering apparatus, comprising: a steering mechanism having a steering shaft connected to a steering wheel to steer steerable wheels in response to a steering operation of the steering wheel; a worm wheel mounted on the steering shaft; a worm shaft engaged with the worm wheel; an electric motor connected to one end of the worm shaft to apply a steering force to the steering mechanism via the worm wheel and the worm shaft; a gear housing having a wheel accommodating portion to accommodate therein the worm wheel and a shaft accommodating portion to accommodate therein the worm shaft; a bearing disposed in the shaft accommodating portion and mounted on the other end of the worm shaft to rotatably support the worm shaft; a holder disposed in the shaft accommodating portion and having a bearing retaining portion to retain therein the bearing; and a resilient element disposed in the shaft accommodating portion and having a body portion made of a resilient material and formed with a curvature and first and second end portions formed at opposite ends of the body portion, the body portion being so structured as to become deformed to a larger diameter when the bearing shifts in a direction that moves the worm shaft away from the worm wheel and bias the bearing in a direction that urges the worm wheel toward the worm wheel, wherein the resilient element is a coil spring; and wherein the first end portion of the resilient element is configured as a free unfixed end portion so as to allow the body portion to become deformed to the larger diameter by displacement of the first end portion relative to the second end portion.