Nsk Corporation

Ryota Sugihara

Toru Segawa

Takeshi Yamamoto

Toru Ishii

Ryou Oosawa

Seiji Ueno

Toshiyuki Arai

Akihide Fujita

A torque transmission joint to suppress occurrence of noise when reversing the direction of rotation of a drive shaft. A first transmission member fixed to an output shaft (the drive shaft) is engaged with a first elastic member such that a first gap in a circumferential direction is interposed, as well as with an intermediate transmission member such that a larger gap in the circumferential direction is interposed. A second transmission member fixed to an end portion of a worm is engaged with a second elastic member such that a second gap in the circumferential direction is interposed, as well as with the intermediate transmission member such that a larger gap in the circumferential direction is interposed. First and second annular convex portions are fitted to, respectively, first and second concave portions to prevent separation of the first and second elastic members with respect to the intermediate transmission member.

Torque transmission joint and electric-powered power steering apparatus

A lightweight and low cost gear housing for a steering gear unit is achieved. Together with forming an outward-facing flange shaped convex engagement sectionaround the middle section in the axial direction of a rack shaft, a gear housing is constructed that comprises a pinion-side housing, a non-pinion-side housing, and an intermediate cylindrical section. As a result, movement of the rack shafttoward the pinion side and the non-pinion side is restricted by both ends of the pinion-side housing. Therefore, portions that require large strength can be limited to the pinion-side housingthat is short in the width direction of the vehicle, so by reducing the wall thickness of the intermediate cylindrical section, or by making the intermediate cylindrical sectionusing a flexible material, it is possible to make the member lightweight, as well as processing become easier, so it becomes possible to reduce the manufacturing cost.

Rack and pinion steering gear unit

Growing community of inventors

Gunma, Japan

Ryota Sugihara