# US 2009/0014231 A1 · Electric power steering apparatus

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- Number: US 2009/0014231 A1
- Document ID: US20090014231A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/090,106
- Filed: 2006-09-14
- Published: 2009-01-15
- Earliest claimed: 2005-10-13
- Assignees: Nsk Ltd.
- Inventors: Tomoaki Ebuchi; Takeshi Yamamoto; Masahiro Maeda
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090014231A1

## CPC

- B62D 5/0406: {including housing for electronic control unit}
- H02K 5/225: {Terminal boxes or connection arrangements (specially adapted for submersible motors H02K5/132)}
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53})

## Abstract

An electric power steering apparatus including a steering system into which steering torque is inputted, an electric motor for imparting steering assist force to the steering system, a controller for controlling a energizing state of the electric motor according to the steering torque, a terminal board electrically connected to the electric motor, and a control unit provided with a connector, wherein a mounting face of the electric motor with respect to the control unit, a mounting face of the terminal board with respect to the control unit, and a mounting face of the connector with respect to the control unit are arranged on a same plane.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An electric power steering apparatus comprising:
a steering system into which steering torque is inputted;
an electric motor which imparts steering assist force to the steering system;
a controller which controls an energizing state of the electric motor according to the steering torque; and
a control unit provided with a terminal board and a connector which are electrically connected to the electric motor,
wherein a mounting face of the electric motor with respect to the control unit, a mounting face of the terminal board with respect to the control unit, and amounting face of the connector with respect to the control unit are arranged on a same plane.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting face of the electric motor with respect to the control unit is defined by a flange protruded part which is protruded from a flange part of the electric motor.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein respective mounting members of the electric motor, the control unit, the terminal board and the connector are adapted to be attached or detached with respect to the same plane by fastening pieces.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a torque sensor which detects the steering torque is further provided, and
the connector is connected to the torque sensor,
whereby an electric signal corresponding to the steering torque is inputted into the controller via the connector.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a signal concerning running state of a vehicle is inputted into the controller via the connector.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electric motor and the control unit are detachably connected to each other via a bus bar.