Motor vehicle steering device
A compact and highly reliable motor vehicle steering device that does not require a spiral flat cable. The motor vehicle steering device includes variable gear ratio system that modifies the transmission ratio of the rotary motions between first steering shaft and second steering shaft. Variable gear ratio system comprises Strain Wave Gearing Speed Reducer that modifies the transmission ratio between first steering shaft and second steering shaft in response to the rotating speed of motor shaft. Motor shaft and second steering shaft forms a substantially concentric dual structure, drive motor is affixed, and output shaft is connected to motor shaft.
1. A motor vehicle steering device comprising:
a variable transmission ratio mechanism that varies a rotational movement transmission ratio between a first steering shaft that rotates with a steering wheel as a unit and a second steering shaft connected to a turning rod for turning a turning ring, wherein
said variable transmission ratio mechanism comprises:
a drive motor;
a motor shaft for transmitting a rotation of said drive motor's output shaft; and
a speed reducer for modifying the transmission ratio between a rotation input entered by said first steering shaft and a rotation output emitted to said second steering shaft;
said motor shaft and said first steering shaft are a substantially concentric dual structure; and
said drive motor is fixedly installed are unaffected by said rotation of said first steering shaft and said second steering shaft with said output shaft is connected to said motor shaft.
2. A motor vehicle steering device of claim 1 , wherein
said first steering shaft comprises a transmission shaft for transmitting said first steering shaft's rotating power, and
said first steering shaft's rotating power enters into said reducer via said transmission shaft; and
said transmission shaft and said motor shaft are a substantially concentric dual structure.
3. A motor vehicle steering device of claim 1 , wherein said speed reducer is a Strain Wave Gearing Speed Reducer.
4. A motor vehicle steering device of claim 1 , wherein said speed reducer is a planetary gearing reducer.
5. A motor vehicle steering device of claim 1 , wherein
said motor shaft has a hollow through-hole, and said first steering shaft passes through said hollow through-hole.
6. A motor vehicle steering device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a rack gear formed on said turning rod whereas a mating pinion gear is formed on said second steering shaft, and
said rack gear meshes with said pinion gear in a steering gear box, which contains at least portions of said turning rod and said second steering shaft.
7. A motor vehicle steering device of claim 6 , wherein
said variable gear ratio system containing said drive motor and said reducer is built into said steering gear box.
8. A motor vehicle steering device of claim 7 , further comprises:
an oil pump for generating hydraulic pressure; and
a power cylinder for driving said turning rod by means of oil pressure;
said first steering shaft comprises a torsion bar for generating a torsion that corresponds to a rotating torque acting on said first steering shaft; and
said steering gear box is equipped with a servo valve constituted to switch a oil passage from said oil pump to said power cylinder in accordance with said torsion bar's torque.
9. A motor vehicle steering device of claim 1 , wherein said motor shaft is formed integrally with said output shaft of said drive motor.