A vehicle power steering assembly includes a housing, a ball nut configured to be operatively disposed in the housing and including an extension portion provided with a convex bearing surface, an insert supported on the housing and provided with a concave bearing surface. The concave bearing surface is complementary to the convex bearing surface. The convex and concave bearing surfaces are a plain bearing configured to provide sliding movement relative to each other. The sliding movement provides relative rotation between the convex and concave bearing surfaces in a first direction on the ball nut axis and a second direction on a rotation axis that is transverse to the ball nut axis.

A vehicle power steering assembly includes a housing, a ball nut configured to be operatively disposed in the housing and including an extension portion provided with a convex bearing surface, an insert supported on the housing and provided with a concave bearing surface. The concave bearing surface is complementary to the convex bearing surface. The convex and concave bearing surfaces are a plain bearing configured to provide sliding movement relative to each other. The sliding movement provides relative rotation between the convex and concave bearing surfaces in a first direction on the ball nut axis and a second direction on a rotation axis that is transverse to the ball nut axis.

A steering system includes a rack shaft, a housing, an electric motor, a control device, and a speed reduction mechanism that applies a moving force in the axial direction to the rack shaft with the speed of rotation of the electric motor reduced. The housing has a rack shaft housing portion and a speed reduction mechanism housing portion. The electric motor has: a motor case fixed to the housing; a plurality of stator cores disposed annularly in the motor case; coil windings wound around the plurality of stator cores; and a rotor. The motor case is formed with a water introduction hole that introduces water that has entered the speed reduction mechanism housing portion into the motor case. The control device has a detector that detects entry of water into the motor case.

A steering system includes a rack shaft, a housing, an electric motor, a control device, and a speed reduction mechanism that applies a moving force in the axial direction to the rack shaft with the speed of rotation of the electric motor reduced. The housing has a rack shaft housing portion and a speed reduction mechanism housing portion. The electric motor has: a motor case fixed to the housing; a plurality of stator cores disposed annularly in the motor case; coil windings wound around the plurality of stator cores; and a rotor. The motor case is formed with a water introduction hole that introduces water that has entered the speed reduction mechanism housing portion into the motor case. The control device has a detector that detects entry of water into the motor case.

An electric power steering system includes an electric motor including a motor output shaft. The system also includes a worm operatively coupled to the motor output shaft. The system further includes a worm gear in contact with the worm and operatively coupled to an auxiliary shaft. The system yet further includes a drive gear operatively coupled to the auxiliary shaft. The system also includes a driven gear in contact with the drive gear and operatively coupled to an input shaft to drive a manual recirculating ball steering gear.

A steering member has a rack portion and a screw portion. The steering member is in a steering housing and operatively connected to a tie rod. A pinion is operatively connected between the rack portion and a steering wheel. A ball nut is operatively connected to the screw portion. A power source is operatively connected to the ball nut. The power source drives the ball nut to effect linear movement of the steering member upon rotation of the steering wheel. A damper has a first connection to the tie rod and a second connection to a ground surface. The ground surface is fixed relative to the steering member. The damper is external to the ball nut.

A steering member has a rack portion and a screw portion. The steering member is in a steering housing and operatively connected to a tie rod. A pinion is operatively connected between the rack portion and a steering wheel. A ball nut is operatively connected to the screw portion. A power source is operatively connected to the ball nut. The power source drives the ball nut to effect linear movement of the steering member upon rotation of the steering wheel. A damper has a first connection to the tie rod and a second connection to a ground surface. The ground surface is fixed relative to the steering member. The damper is external to the ball nut.

Steering actuators for vehicles are described herein. An example actuator includes a rack to be coupled to a knuckle of a vehicle, a ball nut coupled to the rack, a ring gear coupled to the ball nut, and a motor with a pinion engaged with the ring gear. The motor is to rotate the ball nut, via the pinion and the ring gear, to move the rack linearly.

Steering actuators for vehicles are described herein. An example actuator includes a rack to be coupled to a knuckle of a vehicle, a ball nut coupled to the rack, a ring gear coupled to the ball nut, and a motor with a pinion engaged with the ring gear. The motor is to rotate the ball nut, via the pinion and the ring gear, to move the rack linearly.

A vehicle power steering assembly includes a housing, a ball nut configured to be operatively disposed in the housing and including an extension portion provided with a convex bearing surface, an insert supported on the housing and provided with a concave bearing surface. The concave bearing surface is complementary to the convex bearing surface. The convex and concave bearing surfaces are a plain bearing configured to provide sliding movement relative to each other. The sliding movement provides relative rotation between the convex and concave bearing surfaces in a first direction on the ball nut axis and a second direction on a rotation axis that is transverse to the ball nut axis.