Electric power steering apparatus
There is provided an electric power steering apparatus in which at least one of a motor housing and a control unit has a respiratory apparatus that performs a respiratory action, based on an inner pressure change in at least one of the motor housing and the control unit.
1. An electric power steering apparatus comprising:
a motor for generating auxiliary torque corresponding to steering torque exerted by a driver of a vehicle; and
a control unit for controlling the motor,
wherein the motor and the control unit are integrated with each other and the motor is mounted in the vehicle through the intermediary of a gear unit,
wherein the motor has a motor housing in which motor constituent members are contained, one axis-direction end portion of which is sealed, and the other axis-direction end portion of which is opened,
wherein the control unit has a control unit case in which control apparatus constituent members are contained, one axis-direction end portion of which is opened, and the other axis-direction end portion of which is sealed,
wherein the other axis-direction end portion of the motor housing and the one axis-direction end portion of the control unit case are coupled with each other while maintaining a waterproofing function,
wherein the one axis-direction end portion of the motor housing and the gear unit are coupled with each other while maintaining a waterproofing function, and
wherein the motor housing has a first respiratory apparatus that performs a respiratory action, based on an inner pressure change in the motor housing, the first respiratory apparatus being provided on the one axis-direction end portion of the motor housing.
2. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a respiratory path of the respiratory apparatus is an inner space in each of the motor housing and the control unit case.
3. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the respiratory apparatus has a waterproofing function.
4. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the respiratory apparatus is provided only in the motor housing.
5. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising a second respiratory apparatus provided in the control unit and performs a respiratory action based on an inner pressure change in the control unit.
6. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the second respiratory apparatus is configured in such a way as to have a higher respiratory function than the first respiratory apparatus has.
7. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the respiratory apparatus is provided only in the motor housing.
8. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising a second respiratory apparatus provided in the control unit and performs a respiratory action based on an inner pressure change in the control unit.
9. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the second respiratory apparatus is configured in such a way as to have a higher respiratory function than the first respiratory apparatus has.
10. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein a respiration opening of the second respiratory apparatus is disposed at a vertically higher position than a respiration opening of the first respiratory apparatus is.
11. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein a respiration opening of the second respiratory apparatus is disposed at a vertically higher position than a respiration opening of the first respiratory apparatus is.
12. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the respiratory apparatus has a waterproofing function.
13. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the respiratory apparatus is provided only in the motor housing.
14. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising a second respiratory apparatus provided in the control unit and performs a respiratory action based on an inner pressure change in the control unit.
15. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the second respiratory apparatus is configured in such a way as to have a higher respiratory function than the first respiratory apparatus has.
16. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the respiratory apparatus is provided only in the motor housing.
17. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a second respiratory apparatus provided in the control unit and performs a respiratory action based on an inner pressure change in the control unit.
18. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the second respiratory apparatus is configured in such a way as to have a higher respiratory function than the first respiratory apparatus has.
19. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein a respiration opening of the second respiratory apparatus is disposed at a vertically higher position than a respiration opening of the first respiratory apparatus is.
20. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein a respiration opening of the second respiratory apparatus is disposed at a vertically higher position than a respiration opening of the first respiratory apparatus is.