Patent Publication Number: US-2023134775-A1

Title: Steering apparatus for vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119(a) of Korean Patent Applications No. 10-2021-0147884, filed on Nov. 1, 2021, the entire disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a steering apparatus for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a steering apparatus for a vehicle, configured to be able to improve assemblability of parts and improve measurement accuracy. 
     Discussion of the Background 
     In general, an electric steering system applied to a vehicle is configured to include a steering system from a steering wheel to both driving wheels, and an auxiliary power system that supplies the steering system with steering auxiliary power. 
     Here, the steering system is configured to include a steering shaft with an upper end thereof being connected to the steering wheel and a lower end thereof being connected to a pinion shaft via a pair of universal joints, the steering shaft rotating together with the steering wheel. Further, the pinion shaft is connected to a rack bar through a rack-pinion mechanism, and opposite ends of the rack bar are connected to the wheels through tie rods and a knuckle arm. 
     The rack-pinion mechanism is formed such that the pinion gear formed on a lower end of the pinion shaft is meshed with a rack gear formed on one side of an outer circumferential surface of the rack bar, and rotational motion of the pinion shaft is changed into a linear motion of the rack bar. 
     When a driver operates the steering wheel, the pinion shaft is rotated, the rack bar moves linearly in an axial direction according to the rotation of the pinion shaft, and the linear movement of the rack bar steers the driving wheels through the tie rod and the knuckle arm. 
     The auxiliary power mechanism is configured to include a torque sensor that senses steering torque that the driver applies to the steering wheel and that outputs an electric signal proportional to the steering torque, an electronic control unit that generates a control signal on the basis of the electric signal provided by this torque sensor, and a motor that generates steering auxiliary power on the basis of the control signal provided by the electronic control unit. 
     The electric steering system is formed such that the steering torque generated by the rotation of the steering wheel is transmitted to the rack bar via the rack-pinion mechanism, and the steering auxiliary power generated by the motor according to the generated steering torque is transmitted to the steering shaft, the pinion shaft, or the rack bar. That is, the steering torque generated by the steering system and the steering auxiliary power generated by the motor are combined to cause the rack bar to move in an axial direction. 
     A steer-by-wire (SBW) system is a steering system that separates mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the driving wheels of the vehicle, that receives a rotation signal of the steering wheel, and that operates a steering motor connected to the driving wheels on the basis of the received rotation signal, and thereby steering the vehicle. 
     The SBW system is removed from the mechanical connection structure having the existing steering system, and thereby has advantages of increasing a degree of layout freedom depending on the steering system configuration, improving gas mileage, removing disturbance input reversely from the driving wheels, and so on. 
     In contrast, there is a disadvantage that steering information required cannot be properly feedbacked by a driver due to disconnection of the mechanical connection structure. 
     To satisfy requirement characteristics of on-center (or a neutral position of the steering wheel) of a steering angle sensor (SAS) applied to a conventional SBW system, the conventional SBW system has a structure to which excessive specification is applied. 
     To add to explanation, in the past, a worm shaft gear section coming into contact with the gear section of the rack bar has a structure that is fixed to the rack housing in order to implement SAS performance, and that fixes a sensor apart from the SAS is fixed to a shaft at an upper end of the worm shaft gear section, and then has a separate waterproof cover that covers the entire sensor. 
     That is, the conventional steering system for a vehicle to which the SBW system is applied has a problem in that a shape of a system housing is complicated, a problem in that assemblability by configured part is difficult, as well as a problem in that excessive specification is applied and is inefficient compared to function and performance requirement conditions. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure has been invented to solve the problems as described above, and is directed to providing a steering apparatus for a vehicle, capable of improving assemblability of parts and improving measurement accuracy. 
     In one general aspect, a steering apparatus for a vehicle includes: a rack housing; a rack bar inserted into an inner portion of the rack housing and configured to move linearly in a lengthwise direction of the rack housing; a housing mounted on the rack housing; a first sensing section mounted on the housing and configured to sense an amount of movement of the rack bar while being rotated in mesh with the rack bar; and a second sensing section mounted on the rack housing and configured to sense the amount of movement of the rack bar within an on-center section. 
     The rack housing may include: a hollow housing body section including open ends through which the rack bar passes; a housing mount section disposed on an outer surface of the housing body section and configured such that each of the housing and the second sensing section is mounted on the housing mount section; and one or more housing hole sections formed on the housing mount section and configured such that the first sensing section and the second sensing section are disposed on the one or more housing hole sections. 
     The housing mount section may include a first housing mount section on which the housing is mounted, and a second housing mount section on which the second sensing section is mounted. 
     The one or more housing hole sections may include a first housing hole section on which the first sensing section is disposed, and a second housing hole section on which the second sensing section is disposed. 
     The first sensing section may include: a transfer gear part mounted on the housing in a rotatable manner and configured to rotate in mesh with the rack bar; one or more sensing gear parts mounted on the housing in a rotatable manner and configured to rotate in mesh with the transfer gear part; and a first sensing board part configured to sense an amount of rotation of the one or more sensing gear parts. 
     The second sensing section may include a holder mounted on the housing mount section and defining a mounting recess formed on an outer surface thereof; a second sensing board part mounted on an inner side of the mounting recess disposed in the holder and configured to sense a magnet mounted on a middle portion of the rack bar; and a cover part covering the outer surface of the holder. 
     The second sensing section may be configured to sense a position of the magnet moving along with the rack bar within a sensing range of the second sensing board part. 
     The housing may include a lower housing and an upper housing covering the lower housing. 
     The lower housing may include a lower storage section, an upper side of which is open; a lower support section disposed on the lower storage section and supporting the first sensing section in a rotatable manner; a lower opening section disposed on one side of the lower storage section and communicating with the rack housing to expose the first sensing section; and a lower enlarging section extending from one side of the lower storage section and coupled to the rack housing. 
     The upper housing may include: an upper storage section covering the lower storage section; an upper support section disposed on the upper storage section and supporting the first sensing section in a rotatable manner; an upper opening section disposed on one side of the upper storage section and communicating with the rack housing to expose the first sensing section; and an upper enlarging section extending from one side of the upper storage section and coupled to the rack housing. 
     The present disclosure has an effect capable of accurately sensing steered states of the driving wheels by attaching a housing to a rack housing, by causing a rack bar passing through the rack housing to be meshed with a first sensing section housed in the housing, and by measuring rotation of the first sensing section. 
     Further, the present disclosure has an effect of accurately sensing forward movement alignment states of the driving wheels by a second sensing section sensing a magnet mounted on a central portion of the rack bar. 
     Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is an external perspective view illustrating a steering apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded perspective view illustrating the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded perspective view illustrating a housing of the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a side view illustrating a first sensing section of the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a plan view illustrating the first sensing section of the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a plan view illustrating a second sensing section of the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is an exemplary view illustrating position information of a rack bar of the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, a steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In this process, thicknesses of lines shown in the drawings and sizes of constituent elements may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience. Further, the following terms are defined, considering their functions in the present disclosure, and may be varied according to intentions and customs of a user or a manager. Thus, the terms used herein should be defined based on the contents of the entire specification. 
       FIG.  1    is an external perspective view illustrating a steering apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and  FIG.  2    is an exploded perspective view illustrating the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a steering apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a rack housing  100 , a rack bar  200 , a housing  300 , a first sensing section  400 , and a second sensing section  500 . 
     The rack housing  100  is provided to the vehicle body. The rack housing  100  has a cylindrical shape, and can be fixedly installed in the vehicle body. The rack housing  100  can communicate with the housing  300 . 
     The rack bar  200  is inserted into an inner portion of the rack housing  100 , and can move linearly in a lengthwise direction (or an axial direction) of the rack housing  100 . The rack bar  200  passes through the rack housing  100 , is moved according to manipulation of the steering wheel disposed at the driver&#39;s seat, and thereby can change angles of the driving wheels. 
     The magnet  210  can be mounted on the on-center section that is the central portion of the rack bar  200 . To add to explanation, the magnet  210  is rested at an upper end of the central portion of the rack bar  200 . 
     The term “on-center section” refers to a region of the central portion of the rack bar  200 . Thus, when the rack bar  200  is located in the middle of the on-center section, the steering wheel is disposed in a neutral position. That is, in a case in which the rack bar  200  is within the on-center section, the steering wheel is disposed in the neutral position. In a case in which the rack bar  200  is outside of the on-center section, the steering wheel deviates from the neutral region. 
     The rack bar  200  is gear-connected by a driving means (not illustrated), and can be moved in the axial direction as the driving means is driven according to manipulation of the steering wheel. 
     The housing  300  is mounted on the rack housing  100 . The housing  300  can be attached to the rack housing  100  to communicate with the rack housing  100 . 
     The first sensing section  400  is mounted on the housing  300 . The first sensing section  400  is rotated in mesh with the rack bar  200 , and senses an amount of movement of the rack bar  200 . 
     The first sensing section  400  is mounted on the housing  300  in a rotatable manner, and a part thereof protrudes from the housing  300  toward the rack bar  200 , and can be meshed with the rack bar  200 . 
     The first sensing section  400  and the rack bar  200  can be coupled in a rack-pinion mode. Accordingly, the linear motion of the rack bar  200  is converted into a rotational motion of the first sensing section  400 . The first sensing section  400  is rotated to correspond to the amount of movement of the rack bar  200 . 
     That is, when the amount of movement of the rack bar  200  is large, an amount of rotation of the first sensing section  400  becomes large in proportion. When the amount of movement of the rack bar  200  is small, the amount of rotation of the first sensing section  400  is reduced. The amount of rotation measured from the first sensing section  400  is transmitted to the control unit (not illustrated), and the control unit can accurately calculate a rotation angle of the driving wheels on the basis of the amount of rotation of the first sensing section  400 . 
     The rack housing  100  according to the present embodiment includes a housing body section  110 , a housing mount section  120 , and a housing hole section  121 . 
     The housing body section  110  has a hollow cylindrical shape having open opposite ends such that the rack bar  200  is disposed in a penetrated form. The rack bar  200  is disposed in the inner portion of the housing body section  110  in a penetrated form. The housing body section  110  may be formed such that an outer surface thereof has an angled shape, and may be fixed to the vehicle body by a separate fixing means. 
     The housing mount section  120  is formed in the housing body section  110 . The housing  300  is mounted on the housing mount section  120 . 
     The housing mount section  120  can be formed in an outer circumferential surface of the housing body section  110  in a recess shape. The housing mount section  120  can be provided with a first housing mount section  120   a  on which the housing  300  is mounted, and a second housing mount section  120   b  formed on an upper side of the first housing mount section  120   a  and on which the second sensing section  500  is mounted. 
     The first housing mount section  120   a  can be formed in an outer surface of the housing mount section  120  in a stepped shape. Thereby, the housing  300  is position-fixed on the housing mount section  120  while being hung on the first housing mount section  120   a.    
     The second housing mount section  120   b  can be formed in an outer surface of the housing mount section  120  in a stepped shape. Thereby, the second sensing section  500  is position-fixed on the housing mount section  120  while being hung on the second housing mount section  120   b.    
     The housing hole section  121  includes a first housing hole section  121   a  formed on the first housing mount section  120   a,  and a second housing hole section  121   b  formed on the second housing mount section  120   b.    
     The housing body section  110  communicates with the exterior of the housing through the first housing hole section  121   a.  When the housing  300  is mounted on the first housing mount section  120   a,  the first sensing section  400  is disposed in the first housing hole section  121   a  at an inner portion of the housing  300 . 
     The housing body section  110  communicates with an outer portion of the housing through the second housing hole section  121   b.  The second sensing section  500  is inserted into the second housing hole section  121   b,  and is installed on the housing body section  110  while being hung on the first housing mount section  120   a.    
       FIG.  3    is an exploded perspective view illustrating a housing of the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , the housing  300  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a lower housing  310  and an upper housing  320 . 
     The lower housing  310  has a shape in which an upper side thereof is open, and the upper housing  320  covers the opened portion of the lower housing  310 . The upper housing  320  and the lower housing  310  can be assembled up and down. An O-ring or silicone is applied to a contact portion between the lower housing  310  and the upper housing  320 , and can interrupt inflow of foreign materials into the interior. 
     The lower housing  310  can include a lower storage section  311 , a lower support section  312 , a lower opening section  313 , and a lower enlarging sections  314 . 
     The lower storage section  311  has a shape in which an upper side thereof is open. The lower storage section  311  includes a lower storage bottom part  311   a,  and a lower storage edge part  311   b  extending upward from an edge of the lower storage bottom part  311   a.    
     The lower support section  312  is formed on the lower storage section  311 , and supports the first sensing section  400  in a rotatable manner. One or more lower support sections  312  are formed depending on the structure of the first sensing section  400 , and can support rotation of the first sensing section  400 . In this case, a bearing for reducing rotation resistance can be provided to the lower support section  312 . 
     The lower opening section  313  is formed on one side of the lower storage section  311 , and communicates with the rack housing  100  to expose the first sensing section  400  to an outer surface of the lower storage section  311 . The lower opening section  313  is formed on one surface of the lower storage edge part  311   b,  and may have a shape corresponding to that of the housing hole section  121 . 
     The lower enlarging sections  314  extend from one side of the lower storage section  311 , and are coupled to the rack housing  100 . The lower enlarging sections  314  extend from one surface of the lower storage section  311  to left and right opposite sides respectively, and can confront the housing mount section  120 . The lower enlarging sections  314  can be attached to the housing mount section  120 . 
     The upper housing  320  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes an upper storage section  321 , an upper support section  322 , an upper opening section  323 , and upper enlarging sections  324 . 
     The upper storage section  321  has a shape in which a lower side thereof is open. The upper storage section  321  can include an upper storage ceiling part  321   a  and an upper storage edge part  321   b.  The upper storage edge part  321   b  is formed on an edge of the upper storage ceiling part  321   a  and extends downward. 
     The upper support section  322  is formed on the upper storage section  321 , and supports the first sensing section  400  so as to be rotatable. One or more upper support sections  322  are formed depending on the structure of the first sensing section  400 , and can support rotation of the first sensing section  400 . In this case, a bearing for reducing rotational resistance can be provided to the upper support section  322 . 
     The upper opening section  323  is formed on one side of the upper storage section  321 , and communicates with the rack housing  100  to expose the first sensing section  400  to an outer surface of the upper storage section  321 . The upper opening section  323  is formed on one surface of the upper storage edge part  321   b,  and may have a shape corresponding to that of the housing hole section  121 . In this case, the first sensing section  400  can be exposed to the exterior through the upper opening section  323  and the lower opening section  313 . 
     Depending on the design, the first sensing section  400  can be exposed only through any one of the lower opening section  313  and the upper opening section  323 . In this structure, the other of the lower opening section  313  and the upper opening section  323  can be omitted. 
     The upper enlarging sections  324  extends from one side of the upper storage section  321 , and is coupled to the rack housing  100 . The upper enlarging sections  324  extend from a front surface of the upper storage section  321  to opposite left and right sides thereof, and can confront the housing mount section  120 . The upper enlarging sections  324  can be attached to the housing mount section  120 . 
       FIG.  4    is a side view illustrating the first sensing section of the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, and  FIG.  5    is a plan view illustrating the first sensing section of the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the first sensing section  400  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a transfer gear part  410 , a sensing gear parts  430 , and a sensing board part  440 . 
     The transfer gear part  410  is mounted on the housing  300  in a rotatable manner. The transfer gear part  410  can be rotated in meshed with the rack bar  200 . The transfer gear part  410  is mounted on the lower support section  312  and the upper support section  322  in a rotatable manner. 
     The transfer gear part  410  includes a sensing transmission part  420  and a transmission shaft part  421 . The sensing transmission part  420  is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the transmission shaft part  421 . The sensing transmission part  420  is rotated about the transmission shaft part  421 . The sensing transmission part  420  can be rotated in mesh with the rack bar  200 . 
     While the rack bar  200  is in mesh with the transfer gear part  410 , a linear motion of the rack bar  200  is converted into a rotational motion at the transfer gear part  410 . The sensing transmission part  420  may have a spur gear shape. 
     One or more sensing gear parts  430  are mounted on the housing  300  in a rotatable manner. The sensing gear parts  430  is meshed with the sensing transmission part  420 , and is rotated in cooperation with rotation of the sensing transmission part  420 . 
     One or more sensing gear parts  430  may be disposed. 
     In a case in which the number of the sensing gear parts  430  is two, the two sensing gear parts  430  can be meshed with the sensing transmission part  420  at the same time. In addition, any one of the two sensing gear parts  430  may be directly meshed with the sensing transmission part  420 , and the other may be meshed with any one of the sensing gear parts  430  rather than the sensing transmission part  420 . 
     Magnets  431  can be mounted on the sensing gear parts  430 . 
     The sensing board part  440  senses rotations of the sensing gear parts  430 . The sensing board part  440  senses rotation amounts of the sensing gear parts  430 , and can calculate an amount of movement of the rack bar  200  rotating the sensing gear parts  430  on the basis of the sensed rotation amounts. 
     The sensing board part  440  measures magnetisms of the magnets  431  of the rotated sensing gear parts  430 , and thereby can measure amounts of rotation of the sensing gear parts  430 . The sensing board part  440  is disposed above the sensing gear parts  430 , and is mounted on the upper housing  320 . 
     It is possible to diversify sensor output according to system requirement performance through a gear ratio combination between the sensing transmission part  420  and the sensing gear parts  430 . 
       FIG.  6    is an exploded perspective view illustrating the second sensing section of the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 ,  2 , and  6   , the second sensing section  500  according to the present embodiment includes a holder  510 , a sensing board part  520 , and a cover part  530 . 
     The holder  510  is mounted on the housing mount section  120  formed on the housing body section  110 . The holder  510  is mounted on the second housing mount section  120   b.    
     An outer surface of the holder  510  is formed with a mounting recess or a mounting hole  511  in which the sensing board part  520  is mounted. The holder  510  is inserted into the second housing hole section  121   b  formed on the second housing mount section  120   b.  The sensing board part  520  can be disposed at the second housing hole section  121   b.    
     The sensing board part  520  is a type of linear sensor, is mounted on an inner side of the holder  510 , and senses an amount of movement of the rack bar  200  in the on-center section. 
     If the first sensing section  400  senses the amount of movement of the rack bar  200  without a limitation to a specific section, the second sensing section  500  senses the amount of movement of the rack bar  200  with the limitation to the on-center section. 
     As one example, the magnet  210  can be mounted on the on-center section that is the central portion of the rack bar  200 , and the sensing board part  520  can sense the magnet  210  mounted on the rack bar  200 . That is, the sensing board part  520  senses the magnet  210  mounted on the central portion of the rack bar  200 , and thereby can sense a position of the rack bar  200  within the on-center section. 
     The sensing board part  520  senses a position of the magnet  210  moved along with the rack bar  200  within a sensing range. That is, the sensed value is changed depending on the position of the magnet  210 , and information about the position of the magnet  210  sensed by the sensing board part  520  is transmitted to the control unit, and can accurately calculate a neutral state of the steering wheel, an alignment state of the vehicle driving wheels, and so on. 
     The cover part  530  is mounted on the holder  510  on which the sensing board part  520  is mounted, and covers an outer surface of the holder  510 . 
     The assembly and operation of the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the present disclosure having the aforementioned configuration will be described as follows. 
     The lower housing  310  and the upper housing  320  are assembled, and the first sensing section  400  is mounted between the lower housing  310  and the upper housing  320 . The transfer gear part  410  and the sensing gear parts  430  meshed with the transfer gear part  410  are mounted on the lower support section  312  and the upper support section  322  in a rotatable manner. 
     The sensing board part  440  sensing rotations of the sensing gear parts  430  is mounted on the upper housing  320  so as to be disposed above the sensing gear parts  430 . 
     When the assembly of the first sensing section  400  to the housing  300  is completed, the rack housing  100  through which the rack bar  200  passes is attached to the housing  300 . In this case, the transfer gear part  410  is exposed from the housing  300  to the outer portion, is inserted into the housing body section  110  through the housing hole section  121 , and is meshed with the rack bar  200 . To be specific, a part of the sensing transmission part  420  is meshed with the rack bar  200  at the inner portion of the housing body section  110 , while protruding to the outer portion of the housing  300 . 
     In the aforementioned assembly process, the housing  300  in which the first sensing section  400  is mounted can be modulated and provided. The housing  300  to which the first sensing section  400  is attached can be commercialized by coupling the assembled housing  300  with the rack housing  100 . 
     When the assembly of the second sensing section  500  comprised of the holder  510  on which the sensing board part  520  is mounted and the cover part  530  mounted on an outer surface of the holder  510  is completed, the assembly is inserted into the housing body section  110  through the housing hole section  121  so as to correspond to the magnet  210  mounted on the rack bar  200 . 
     In the aforementioned assembly process, the second sensing section  500  can be modularized and provided, and the second sensing section  500  can be coupled to the rack housing  100  for commercialization. 
     In a case in which the vehicle steering is needed in a state in which the assembly is completed, the rack bar  200  is moved linearly, the transfer gear part  410  meshed with the rack bar  200  is rotated. As the sensing transmission part  420  of the transfer gear part  410  is rotated, the sensing gear parts  430  meshed with the sensing transmission part  420  are rotated. 
     When the sensing gear parts  430  is rotated, the sensing board part  440  of the first sensing section  400  measures rotation values of the sensing gear parts  430 . Afterwards, the first sensing section  400  transmits the measured rotation values of the sensing gear parts  430  to the control unit, and can accurately detect the steering angle of the vehicle driving wheels through the transmitted information. 
     Further, when the rack bar  200  enters into the on-center section, the sensing board part  520  of the second sensing section  500  senses the position of the magnet  210 , and thereby the rack bar  200  returns to the on-center section, and can precisely identify whether it is maintained within the on-center section. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can widely measure the movement and the movement amount of the rack bar  200  through the first sensing section  400  in an entire section in which the rack bar  200  is movable, and can precisely measure the movement and the movement amount of the rack bar  200  through the second sensing section  500  by limiting the inside of the on-center section. For an example, the position and the movement of the rack bar  200  can be measured within a range of ±200 mm of the first sensing section  400  and within a range of ±20 mm of the second sensing section  500 . 
     According to the present disclosure, since the first sensing section  400  capable of movement information of the rack bar  200  in a wide region is provided, it is possible to lower a management criterion of the sensor for managing the entire region, and to apply a cheaper sensor according to differentiation of specification of the sensor based on each section, and thus costs can be reduced. 
     Since the second sensing section  500  capable of accurately measuring the movement information of the rack bar  200  within a specified region, i.e. within the on-center section that is importantly managed in the vehicle, is provided, it is possible to acquire position information for accurate linear advance control in order to cope with the vehicle driving and the autonomous traveling. 
     In this manner, according to the present disclosure, the movement of the rack bar  200  is sensed through the first sensing section  400 , and when it is identified, by the first sensing section  400 , that the rack bar  200  enters into the on-center section, the movement of the rack bar  200  can be accurately measured through the second sensing section  500 . 
     Beyond the on-center section, by measuring the movement of the rack bar  200  to the first sensing section  400 , by measuring the movement of the rack bar  200  to the second sensing section  500 , and by doubling the movement information of the rack bar  200  to the sensing section having two different functions, it is possible to improve accuracy and to reduce manufacturing costs. 
     Further, the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can accurately provide return to and maintenance of the on-center when driving because a linear movement alignment state of the vehicle wheels is identified through the second sensing section  500  sensing the magnet  210  mounted on the middle portion of the rack bar  200 , and it can be managed within the on-center section in the entire movement section of the rack bar  200  with high accuracy as in  FIG.  7   . 
     Although exemplary embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure as defined in the accompanying claims. Thus, the true technical scope of the disclosure should be defined by the following claims.