Flexibly coupled electric power assist steering system
AssigneeVisteon Global Technologies, Inc.
InventorMichael Joseph DeBarr
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electric power assist steering system includes an electric motor with an output shaft, and a flexible shaft operatively connected to the output shaft. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible shaft is also operatively connected to the input shaft of a pinion gear for a rack and pinion steering mechanism. The present invention increases the engine compartment utilization efficiency while also increasing the ease of repair, installation, and removal of engine, steering system and other vehicle components in the engine compartment.
Claims17
An electric power assist steering system, comprising an electric motor having an output shaft and a motor housing, a flexible shaft having a first end and a second end, and a steering mechanism, wherein said flexible shaft is operatively coupled to said output shaft at said first end and is operatively coupled to said steering mechanism at said second end.
A method for installing an electric power assisted steering system in a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
- installing in a vehicle an electric motor for providing power to a steering mechanism, the electric motor having an output shaft, and
- installing in the vehicle a steering mechanism that can be operatively connected to said electric motor, wherein the steering mechanism has an input shaft, said electric motor and said steering mechanism being installed independently of each other and said electric motor being installed at a location wherein the output shaft of the electric motor is at a remote location from said input shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.