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:
Apr. 03, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 09, 1999
Russell Wilson-Jones, Warwickshire, GB;
Steven John Horton, West Midlands, GB;
John Michael Ironside, Birmingham, GB;
Mark Anthony Wilkes, Birmingham, GB;
Michael Appleyard, Lancashire, GB;
Lucas Industries public limited company, Solihull, GB;
Abstract
An electrical power-assisted steering system is disclosed comprising a brushless electric motor (,) which has a plurality of phase windings connected at a start point and in which a switching means (,) such as a relay is provided in at least one phase of the motor, the switching means being movable between a closed position in which current is able to flow in the phase winding and an open position which prevents current flowing in the respective phase in the event of a fault. Also disclosed is a substantially rigid connector assembly (,) onto which is mounted the switching means (,), conductors (,) for connecting the motor phase windings and a motor position sensor (,) to an associated motor control means (,), the connector acting as a support for the motor stator, which simplifies the steps involved in assembly. In another aspect of the invention, the electrical power-assisted steering system includes a one-piece casing (,) which acts as a housing for the gearset, torque sensor, control means and at least part of the motor.