Patent ID: 7497299

Claim:
A power steering system for a vehicle, comprising: a power assist unit including a unitized combination of: a torque sensor for detecting an operational torque exerted on a steering handle; an electric motor having an axis orthogonal to a plane containing an axis of a steering shaft connected to the steering handle; a controller connected to said torque sensor and said electric motor, said electric motor being operated by said controller according to the operational torque detected by said torque sensor; and a power transmission mechanism driven by said electric motor to transmit a rotational power of said electric motor to a power transmission shaft for transmitting a steering force to a steering wheel or wheels, wherein said power assist unit is mounted to a cross member provided on a body of the vehicle, said steering shaft is rotatably supported on only a single support case mounted to the cross member, at least said electric motor of said power assist unit is mounted to said cross member through said support case, and the torque sensor is located within the support case.