Trw Limited

Paul K Webber

Joseph D Miller

Erland K Persson

Brett M Swiss

David L Perry

A steering assembly (10) for turning steerable wheels of a vehicle in response to rotation of a steering wheel (12) includes a pinion (30). A steering member (14) is movable axially to effect turning movement of the steerable wheels of the vehicle. The steering member (14) has a rack portion (34) for engagement with the pinion (30) and an externally threaded screw portion (38). An electric motor (50) includes a rotor (132) drivingly connected to the steering member (14) and a stator (70). The stator (70) when energized effects movement of the rotor (132) and, thereby, rotation of the steering member (14). An electronic control unit (210) for helping to control operation of the electric motor (50) comprises at least one heat-generating component (220). A one-piece cast metal member (60) made of a homogeneous material has a main body portion (66) encapsulating and supporting the stator (70) and has an electronic control unit housing portion (102). The electronic control unit housing portion (102) of the one-piece metal member (60) includes a platform (94). The heat-generating component (220) is fastened to the platform (94) in a thermally conductive relationship.

Electric steering motor with one-piece metal shell

A torque sensor for use in a power assist steering system for sensing the applied steering torque between an input shaft and an output shaft wherein said shafts are coaxially aligned with each other and rotatable relative to each other about a common axis. The sensor includes a non-planar rotary input transformer having a stationary primary winding and a rotary secondary winding, both mounted coaxially about a common axis. A transmitter is mounted to the input shaft for rotation therewith and carries, on one axially directed face, a coil set of series connected coils arranged in an annular array about the common axis. A receiver is axially spaced from the transmitter and is mounted on the output shaft for rotation therewith about the common axis. The receiver carries, on an opposing axially directed face, first and second sets of series connected coils each arranged in an annular array about the common axis and with the coil sets being electrically displaced by 90.degree.. First and second non-planar rotary output transformers are provided respectively having first and second axially spaced primary windings coaxially surrounding the axis. The first and second output transformers respectively include first and second stationary secondary windings spaced radially outward from and coaxially surrounding the first and second rotary primary windings.

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Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Paul K Webber