Steering column with non-compliant torque sensor

Abstract

An electric power steering system for a vehicle comprising a hand wheel in operable communication with a shaft, a motor in mechanical communication with the shaft, and a non-compliant torque sensor located between about a midpoint along the shaft and an upper end of the shaft.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An electric power steering system for a vehicle comprising: 
 a hand wheel in operable communication with a shaft;    a motor in mechanical communication with said shaft; and    a non-compliant torque sensor located at said shaft and located between about a midpoint along said shaft and an upper end of said shaft.    
     
     
         2 . The electric power steering system in  claim 1  wherein said shaft comprises a single shaft.  
     
     
         3 . The electric power steering system in  claim 1  further comprising a single cast housing.  
     
     
         4 . A steering column for a vehicle comprising: 
 a shaft controlled by a hand wheel;    a gear assembly in mechanical communication with said shaft;    a motor in mechanical communication with said gear assembly;    a controller in operable communication with said motor;    a non-compliant torque sensor located at said shaft and located between about a midpoint along said shaft and an upper end of said shaft; and    a position sensor in electronic communication with said controller and connected to a bracket switch mounting.    
     
     
         5 . The steering column in  claim 4  wherein said shaft comprising a single shaft.  
     
     
         6 . The steering column in  claim 4  wherein said gear assembly comprises a worm and a worm gear.  
     
     
         7 . The steering column in  claim 4  further comprises a single cast housing.  
     
     
         8 . The steering column in  claim 4  comprises a housing wherein a bracket connects to a jacket.  
     
     
         9 . The steering column in  claim 7  wherein said controller is mounted on a face of said housing adjacent to said hand wheel.  
     
     
         10 . The steering column in  claim 7  wherein said non-compliant torque sensor is directly connected to said controller through a connection pathway in said housing.  
     
     
         11 . The steering column in  claim 4  wherein said non-compliant torque sensor is connected to said controller through a plug.  
     
     
         12 . The steering column in  claim 4  wherein said controller is a column electronics module.  
     
     
         13 . A steering column for a vehicle comprising: 
 an upper shaft controlled by a hand wheel;    a lower shaft connected to said upper shaft by a torsion bar;    a gear assembly in mechanical communication with said lower shaft;    a motor in mechanical communication with said gear assembly;    a controller in electronic communication with said motor;    a non-compliant torque sensor located at said upper shaft between said connection of said upper shaft and said torsion bar and an upper end of said upper shaft; and    a position sensor in electronic communication with said controller.    
     
     
         14 . The steering column in  claim 13  wherein said gear assembly comprises a worm and a worm gear.  
     
     
         15 . The steering column in  claim 13  wherein said worm and said worm gear are housed in a worm gear housing.  
     
     
         16 . The steering column in  claim 13  further comprising a housing wherein a bracket connects to a jacket.  
     
     
         17 . The steering column in  claim 16  wherein said controller is mounted at a face of said housing adjacent to said hand wheel.  
     
     
         18 . The steering column in  claim 13  wherein said non-compliant torque sensor is directly connected to said controller through a connection pathway in said housing.  
     
     
         19 . The steering column in  claim 13  wherein said non-compliant torque sensor is connected to said controller by a plug.  
     
     
         20 . The steering column in  claim 13  wherein said controller is a column electronics module.