Motor vehicles – Steering gear – No mechanical connection between steering shaft and steering...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-02
2001-03-27
DePumpo, Daniel G. (Department: 3611)
Motor vehicles
Steering gear
No mechanical connection between steering shaft and steering...
C180S408000, C180S444000, C403S122000, C403S359300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206132
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a steering apparatus for a vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to a vehicle steering apparatus including an electric motor for effecting steering movement of a steerable road wheel of a vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A motor vehicle includes a steering system for steering the steerable road wheels, typically the front wheels, of the vehicle. The steering system often includes a steering gear assembly located remote from the steerable wheels of the vehicle, for example, at the steering column. U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,914 discloses a vehicle steering system located adjacent a steerable wheel of the vehicle. The steering system includes an electric motor mounted with a McPherson strut. Actuation of the motor rotates the piston of the strut to steer the steerable wheel of the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a steering apparatus for use in a vehicle having (a) a steerable road wheel, (b) a steering member supporting the road wheel for rotation relative to the steering member, and (c) at least one vehicle suspension part supporting the steering member for pivotal movement about a steering axis. The steering apparatus includes a bearing. The steering apparatus also includes a ball stud having a shank portion fixed to the steering member. The ball stud has a ball end portion rotatably and pivotally mounted in the bearing. The ball stud has an axis. The steering apparatus includes an actuatable electric motor having an output shaft and operable to rotate the output shaft in opposite directions. The steering apparatus also includes a joint assembly connecting the ball end portion of the ball stud for rotation with the output shaft of the electric motor. The electric motor when actuated rotates the ball stud about the ball stud axis thereby effecting pivotal movement of the steering member about the steering axis.
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DePumpo Daniel G.
Tarrolli, Sundheim, Covell, Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Inc.
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