Patent ID: 8910742
Filing Date: 2014-12-16
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. An electric power-steering apparatus, comprising: a cylindrical steering column that is supported by a vehicle body; a steering shaft that is supported on the inside of the steering column so as to be able to rotate freely, and that is rotated by a steering wheel that is fastened to the rear end section thereof; an electrical component that is used for applying auxiliary power in the same direction as the force applied from the steering wheel to the steering shaft or to a member that displaces as the steering shaft rotates; a connector for supplying electric power to the electrical component; and a housing that is fastened to the front end section of the steering column and comprises; a worm wheel housing section that has an approximate circular disk shape, that is arranged so as to be concentric with the steering column, and that houses a worm wheel inside thereof; and a torque sensor housing section that is provided adjacent to the rear side of the worm wheel housing section, that has a smaller diameter than the worm wheel housing section and that houses a torque sensor inside thereof, wherein a substantially flat shaped protective wall section is provided on a bottom surface of the steering column or a bottom surface of the worm wheel housing section and extends downward when assembled in the vehicle, and assuming that the electric power-steering apparatus is placed on a flat plane, a bottom end section of the protective wall section comes in contact with the flat plane, and the connector is installed in a portion that is located below the steering column or the torque sensor housing section when assembled in the vehicle, and that is above and separated from the flat plane assuming that the electric power-steering apparatus is placed on the flat plane with the bottom surface of the steering column facing downward when assembled in the vehicle.