The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 09, 2001
Filed:
Nov. 24, 1998
Mitugu Kikuti, Toyota, JP;
Yoshikazu Kameda, Toyota, JP;
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aichi-Ken, JP;
Abstract
A groove member, a reaction force generating member and an elastic member comprise a power steering apparatus where an input shaft adapted to be coupled to a steering wheel engages an output shaft adapted to be connected to wheels to be steered. The groove member has a groove and rotates together with one of the input shaft and the output shaft. The reaction force generating member is supported by the other of the input shaft and the output shaft and is unmovable in the radial direction with respect to one of the input shaft and the output shaft and movable in the axial direction of the input shaft and the output shaft by a distance not exceeding a predetermined value. The elastic member urges one of the groove member and the reaction force generating member toward the other of the groove member and the reaction force generating member. Thus, it is possible to prevent the input shaft and the output shaft from forming an operational angle therebetween unless the steering torque inputted to the input shaft exceeds a predetermined value. The steering wheel of the invention disclosed herein provides the driver with a feel of rigidity as well as a feel of nimbleness by generating a steering assisting torque corresponding to the operational angle formed.