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AssigneeLucas Industries public limited company
InventorsRussell Wilson-Jones, Steven John Horton, John Michael Ironside, Mark Anthony Wilkes, Michael Appleyard
Estimating the term…
An electrical power-assisted steering system is disclosed comprising a brushless electric motor (1) which has a plurality of phase windings connected at a start point and in which a switching means (13) 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 (19) onto which is mounted the switching means (13), conductors (20) for connecting the motor phase windings and a motor position sensor (21) to an associated motor control means (6), 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 (3) which acts as a housing for the gearset, torque sensor, control means and at least part of the motor.
An electric power assisted steering system for a vehicle comprising an electric motor connected through a gear box to act on a steering mechanism of said vehicle wherein a one-piece housing accommodates at least a part of an electric motor, electronic circuits adapted to control and drive said electric motor, a connector assembly having conducting tracks connecting said motor to said electronic circuits, a gearbox and a torque sensors and wherein said housings comprises three integral portions, a first portion which houses said electronic circuits, a second portion which houses said part of said motor comprising a stator and an armature and accommodates said connector assembly, said second portion being scaled with and end cap, and a third portion which houses said gearbox and said torque sensor, and wherein said first, second, and third portions define compartments which are isolated from one another in use.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.