Embodiments disclosed herein relates to a reducer of an electric power steering apparatus. The embodiments provide a reducer of an electric power steering apparatus that includes: a worm shaft having a first end connected to a motor shaft and a second end that is opposite the first end, in which a first worm shaft bearing and a second worm shaft bearing are coupled to the first end and the second end, respectively; a gear housing in which the first worm shaft bearing, the second worm shaft bearing, and the worm shaft are housed; and a moisture absorption compensation member which is supported on and coupled to an inner circumferential surface of the gear housing in a direction in which the worm shaft meshes with the worm wheel and supports the worm shaft in a direction opposite the direction in which the worm shaft meshes with the worm wheel.

A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering apparatus comprises a gearbox housing which houses a worm shaft and a gear wheel, the worm shaft being supported relative to the housing by a main bearing at an end closest to the motor and by a tail bearing at an end furthest from the motor, and the gear wheel being supported by an output shaft having at least one end that provides a take-off from the gearbox assembly, in which the main bearing and tail bearing are free to move relative to the housing through a limited range of motion that enables the worm shaft to pivot away from the wheel gear, the assembly further comprising: a first pivoting means for the worm shaft main bearing which reacts the axial component of the worm shaft tooth load for a first direction of gearwheel torque but not for a second, opposing, direction of gearwheel torque and defines at least one first pivot point about which the main bearing pivots that is located on a pivot axis, a second pivoting means for the worm shaft main bearing, positioned distal from the first pivoting means, which reacts the axial component of the worm shaft tooth load for the second direction of gearwheel torque but not the first direction of gearwheel torque and defines at least one second pivot point about which the main bearing pivots that is located on a second pivot axis, the second pivot point being spaced apart from the first pivot point.

A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering apparatus comprises a gearbox housing which houses a worm shaft and a gear wheel, the worm shaft being supported relative to the housing by a main bearing at an end closest to the motor and by a tail bearing at an end furthest from the motor, and the gear wheel being supported by an output shaft having at least one end that provides a take-off from the gearbox assembly, in which the main bearing and tail bearing are free to move relative to the housing through a limited range of motion that enables the worm shaft to pivot away from the wheel gear, the assembly further comprising: a first pivoting means for the worm shaft main bearing which reacts the axial component of the worm shaft tooth load for a first direction of gearwheel torque but not for a second, opposing, direction of gearwheel torque and defines at least one first pivot point about which the main bearing pivots that is located on a pivot axis, a second pivoting means for the worm shaft main bearing, positioned distal from the first pivoting means, which reacts the axial component of the worm shaft tooth load for the second direction of gearwheel torque but not the first direction of gearwheel torque and defines at least one second pivot point about which the main bearing pivots that is located on a second pivot axis, the second pivot point being spaced apart from the first pivot point.

A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering apparatus comprises a gearbox housing which houses a worm shaft and a gear wheel, the worm shaft being supported relative to the housing by a main bearing at an end closest to the motor and by a tail bearing at an end furthest from the motor, and the gear wheel being supported by an output shaft having at least one end that provides a take-off from the gearbox assembly, in which the main bearing and tail bearing are free to move relative to the housing through a limited range of motion that enables the worm shaft to pivot away from the wheel gear facilitated by tilting of the main bearing about a pivot that is fixed relative to the housing, characterised in that the gearbox assembly is arranged such that the pivot reacts the axial component of the worm shaft tooth load that arises when a gearwheel torque is applied to the gearwheel in a first direction but not in a second, opposing, direction, and in that a tensioning device is provided that reacts the axial component of the worm shaft tooth load that arises when a gearwheel torque is applied to the gearwheel in the second direction but not in the first direction.

A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering apparatus comprises a gearbox housing which houses a worm shaft and a gear wheel, the worm shaft being supported relative to the housing by a main bearing at an end closest to the motor and by a tail bearing at an end furthest from the motor, and the gear wheel being supported by an output shaft having at least one end that provides a take-off from the gearbox assembly, in which the main bearing and tail bearing are free to move relative to the housing through a limited range of motion that enables the worm shaft to pivot away from the wheel gear facilitated by tilting of the main bearing about a pivot that is fixed relative to the housing, characterised in that the gearbox assembly is arranged such that the pivot reacts the axial component of the worm shaft tooth load that arises when a gearwheel torque is applied to the gearwheel in a first direction but not in a second, opposing, direction, and in that a tensioning device is provided that reacts the axial component of the worm shaft tooth load that arises when a gearwheel torque is applied to the gearwheel in the second direction but not in the first direction.

A ring gear arrangement, including: a ring gear mount including: a ring gear having at least one internal gear for interaction with one or more gear wheels; a ring gear stator; and, a plurality of couplings which locate the ring gear within the gear stator, each coupling having a drive arm connected to the ring gear and a resiliently deformable connection, wherein the drive arm is movable between a first position in which the ring gear is in a rest position and a second position in which the ring gear has undergone some radial or rotational movement relative to the ring gear stator, wherein movement of the drive arm from a the first position to the second position loads the resiliently deformable connection against the ring gear, wherein the resiliently deformable connection biases the drive arm to return to the first position when in the second position.

A ring gear arrangement, including: a ring gear mount including: a ring gear having at least one internal gear for interaction with one or more gear wheels; a ring gear stator; and, a plurality of couplings which locate the ring gear within the gear stator, each coupling having a drive arm connected to the ring gear and a resiliently deformable connection, wherein the drive arm is movable between a first position in which the ring gear is in a rest position and a second position in which the ring gear has undergone some radial or rotational movement relative to the ring gear stator, wherein movement of the drive arm from a the first position to the second position loads the resiliently deformable connection against the ring gear, wherein the resiliently deformable connection biases the drive arm to return to the first position when in the second position.

The present invention relates to a speed reducer for a vehicle. The speed reducer includes: a gear housing configured to enclose a worm wheel and a worm shaft and including one of a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member, which generate attractive force or repulsive force therebetween as current is applied to a position facing the worm shaft in an axial direction; a first bearing coupled to an end of the worm shaft at an opposite side to a motor shaft-coupling portion; and a moving member coupled, at one side thereof, to an outer race of the first bearing and including, at a remaining side thereof, a remaining one of the first and second magnetic members, so that the moving member is axially moved according to the attractive force or the repulsive force.

Focus arrangements for laser radar and other applications provide compensation of orientation-dependent gravitational forces. A linear stage can be preloaded and provided with balanced linear encoders so that gravitational force induced pitch, yaw, and roll can be reduced, detected, or compensated. Alternatively, movable focus elements can be secured to actuator driven spring assemblies that are controlled to compensate orientation-dependent gravitational forces.

Focus arrangements for laser radar and other applications provide compensation of orientation-dependent gravitational forces. A linear stage can be preloaded and provided with balanced linear encoders so that gravitational force induced pitch, yaw, and roll can be reduced, detected, or compensated. Alternatively, movable focus elements can be secured to actuator driven spring assemblies that are controlled to compensate orientation-dependent gravitational forces.