Patent ID: 8604647

Claim:
A linear actuating device for use in a steering system of a vehicle, the steering system including a steering wheel, a pinion connection co-rotably to the steering wheel, a tie rod connected to said linear actuating device, and extending and movable along an axis for steering a wheel of the vehicle, a torque sensor for detecting rotation of the steering when and the pinion, and an electronic control unit connected electrically to the torque sensor and said linear actuating device, said linear actuating device comprising: a track unit including an insulating sleeve made of non-metallic material and surrounding the axis, a plurality of coils mounted spacedly and sleevingly on said insulating sleeve along the axis, and adapted to be connected electrically to the electronic control unit, and a shell containing said insulating sleeve and said coils; and a forcer unit including an elongate member extending through said insulating sleeve, having a segment configured for connecting to the tie rod, and being moveable along the axis relative to said insulating sleeve for driving axial movement of the tie rod, and a plurality of magnets mounted spacedly relative to the axis and sleevingly on said elongate member; wherein said elongate member includes a mounting part having an outer surface formed with a plurality of magnet mounting grooves spaced apart relative to the axis, each of said magnets being sleeved over said elongate member and mounted in a corresponding one of said magnet mounting grooves; and wherein said elongate member further includes a securing part disposed opposite to said mounting part, and a plurality of gear teeth disposed on said securing part for meshing with the pinion, the electronic control unit applying positive or negative voltage to the coils based on the rotation of the pinion detected by the torque sensor to drive axial movement of the elongate member and the tie rod to thereby aid steering the wheel of the vehicle.