Structure for pinion sensor of steering apparatus and method of assembling structure for pinion sensor of steering apparatus

Abstract

A pinion sensor structure for a steering device and a method for assembling the same are disclosed. The pinion sensor structure for a steering device comprises: a housing having a first receiving portion having one side open to receive a worm wheel, and a second receiving portion communicating with the first receiving portion and receiving a worm shaft that engages with the worm wheel; a sensing unit disposed at a certain distance apart to face the worm wheel; and a housing cover coupled to one side of the first receiving portion; wherein the sensing unit may be fixed to the housing cover.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pinion sensor structure of a steering device and a method for assembling the pinion sensor structure of a steering device, and more specifically, to a pinion sensor structure of a steering device and a method for assembling the pinion sensor structure of a steering device that allows for easy installation of a sensor. Background Technology

[0002] A steering device is a device that controls the driving direction of a vehicle. Such a steering device includes a steering gearbox containing a rack and a pinion gear, a steering shaft that transmits the rotation of the steering wheel to the pinion gear of the steering gearbox to induce lateral movement of the rack, and tie rods that respectively connect the knuckle portions of the wheels on both sides and the ends of the rack of the steering gearbox.

[0003] Among steering systems, there are electric power assist steering systems that add a hydraulic or electric power unit to assist steering force, and steer-by-wire steering systems that add a hydraulic or electric power unit that is physically separated from the steering wheel and generates steering force according to steering of the steering wheel. Such steering systems assist steering by rotating the steering shaft with a motor or moving a rack laterally.

[0004] Among these, the electric steering device may be equipped with a worm wheel and a worm shaft to transmit power to a rack through a pinion gear. The worm shaft is arranged to mesh with the worm wheel to transmit power generated from the motor to the worm wheel, and an output shaft equipped with a pinion gear is coupled to the worm wheel so that it rotates together with the rotation of the worm wheel. Consequently, the rack meshed with the pinion gear moves laterally to assist in steering. These worm wheel and worm shaft are housed inside a housing, in which one side of the housing is open to accommodate the worm wheel, and a housing cover shields one side of the housing and is coupled to the housing.

[0005] In addition, the electric power steering system can be controlled via an electronic control unit (ECU). For example, the driver's steering force is detected by a torque sensor, an angle sensor, etc., and transmitted to the electronic control unit, and the motor is driven according to the signal detected by the electronic control unit. Accordingly, a sensor is provided to detect the rotation angle or rotational torque of a worm wheel that operates according to the driving of the motor. In this case, the sensor can be used as a torque angle sensor capable of detecting both torque and rotation angle in a single sensor.

[0006] These sensors are positioned to face the worm wheel and installed on the output shaft, and the sensors must be fixed and not rotated to detect the rotation of the worm wheel and pinion. The problem to be solved

[0007] The disclosed invention provides a pinion sensor structure for a steering device that allows for easy installation of a sensor, and a method for assembling the pinion sensor structure for a steering device. means of solving the problem

[0008] A pinion sensor structure of a steering device according to one aspect of the disclosed invention comprises: a housing having a first receiving portion having one side open to receive a worm wheel, and a second receiving portion communicating with the first receiving portion and receiving a worm shaft that engages with the worm wheel; a sensing unit disposed spaced apart at a certain distance to face the worm wheel; and a housing cover coupled to one side of the first receiving portion; wherein the sensing unit may be fixed to the housing cover.

[0009] The sensing unit includes a coupling portion formed protruding from a frame forming the exterior of the sensing unit; and the housing cover may include a fixing slot formed on the inner surface of the housing cover into which the coupling portion is inserted and coupled.

[0010] A first boss portion is formed in the first receiving portion such that one side of the coupling portion can be contacted, and a second boss portion may be formed in the fixing slot such that the other side of the coupling portion can be contacted.

[0011] The above fixed slot has a first slot surface formed on one side that extends in the slot direction to form a second boss portion, and a second slot surface formed on the other side that extends shorter in the slot direction than the first slot surface.

[0012] When the housing cover is coupled to the housing, the coupling portion may come into contact with the second boss portion to be coupled to the fixed slot and be spaced apart from the first boss portion.

[0013] A steering device according to one aspect of the disclosed invention comprises: a housing having a first receiving portion having one side open to receive a worm wheel coupled to an output shaft, and a second receiving portion communicating with the first receiving portion and receiving a worm shaft engaged with the worm wheel; a motor coupled to the worm shaft and providing rotational force to the worm wheel through the worm shaft; a sensing unit disposed at a certain distance apart to face the worm wheel; and a housing cover coupled to one side of the first receiving portion; wherein the sensing unit may be fixed to the housing cover.

[0014] The sensing unit includes a coupling portion formed protruding from a frame forming the exterior of the sensing unit; and the housing cover may include a fixing slot formed on the inner surface of the housing cover into which the coupling portion is inserted and coupled.

[0015] A first boss portion is formed in the first receiving portion such that one side of the coupling portion can be contacted, and a second boss portion may be formed in the fixing slot such that the other side of the coupling portion can be contacted.

[0016] The above fixed slot has a first slot surface formed on one side that extends in the slot direction to form a second boss portion, and a second slot surface formed on the other side that extends shorter in the slot direction than the first slot surface.

[0017] A method for assembling a pinion sensor structure of a steering device according to one aspect of the disclosed invention may include: a step of positioning a sensing unit so as to be spaced apart by a certain distance so as to face a worm wheel; a step of receiving the worm wheel and the sensing unit in a first receiving portion provided in a housing, the first receiving portion having one side open; a step of positioning the sensing unit so that one side of a coupling portion protruding from the sensing unit touches a first boss portion formed in the first receiving portion; a step of positioning the housing cover so that a second boss portion formed in a fixing slot of the housing cover touches the other side of the coupling portion; a step of assembling the housing cover to touch one side of the first receiving portion while the coupling portion and the second boss portion are in contact, thereby joining the coupling portion and the fixing slot; a step of aligning the housing cover and the housing to space apart the coupling portion and the first boss portion; and a step of joining the housing cover and the housing. Effects of the invention

[0018] The pinion sensor structure of a steering device according to the disclosed embodiment and the steering device equipped therewith can prevent sensor damage or sensor non-fixing situations that may occur when fixing the sensing unit to the housing cover. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0019] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an electric steering device according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a steering device to which a pinion sensor structure according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention is applied. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 3. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a fixed slot provided in the housing cover of a pinion sensor structure according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the combined appearance of a fastening means according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention. FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the combined state of a fixed slot and a coupling part according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention. FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view showing the appearance of a first boss portion provided in a housing according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention. FIG. 8 is a drawing showing the arrangement of a sensing unit according to an assembly method of a pinion sensor structure according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention. FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a sensing unit housed in a housing according to an assembly method of a pinion sensor structure according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention. FIGS. 10 and 11 are drawings showing a configuration in which one side of a coupling portion is positioned to contact a first boss portion according to an assembly method of a pinion sensor structure according to an embodiment of the disclosed invention. FIGS. 12 and 13 are drawings showing the arrangement of a housing cover according to an assembly method of a pinion sensor structure according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention. FIG. 14 is a drawing showing the coupling part and the fixing slot combined according to the assembly method of a pinion sensor structure according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention. FIGS. 15 and 16 are drawings showing the joint portion and the first boss portion separated according to the assembly method of a pinion sensor structure according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0020] Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components. This specification does not describe all elements of the embodiments, and general content in the art to which the disclosed invention pertains or content that overlaps between embodiments is omitted. The terms 'part, module, component, block' used in the specification may be implemented in software or hardware, and depending on the embodiments, a plurality of 'parts, modules, components, blocks' may be implemented as a single component, or a single 'part, module, component, block' may include a plurality of components.

[0021] Throughout the specification, when a part is described as being "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where they are directly connected but also cases where they are indirectly connected, and indirect connections include connections made via a wireless communication network.

[0022] Furthermore, when it is stated that a part "includes" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0023] Throughout the specification, when it is stated that a component is located "on" another component, this includes not only cases where a component is in contact with another component, but also cases where another component exists between the two components.

[0024] Terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used to distinguish one component from another, and the components are not limited by the aforementioned terms. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates an exception.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an electric steering device according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, the steering device (10) may include a steering gear box (11) containing a rack and a pinion gear (see FIG. 3 '126'), a steering shaft connecting part (12) to which a steering shaft (not shown) is connected, a tie rod (13) that connects the knuckle part (not shown) of both wheels and the ends of the rack of the steering gear box (11) respectively, and an electric steering device (100) installed in the steering gear box (11) that operates the rack according to steering to generate steering force.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, the steering device (10) may include a torque sensor (31) that detects the torque applied by the driver to the steering wheel (20) and outputs it as an electrical signal, an angle sensor (32) that detects the rotation angle of the steering wheel (20) and outputs it as an electrical signal, and an electronic control unit (ECU: 30) that generates a control signal based on the electrical signals output from the torque sensor (31) and the angle sensor (32). At this time, the electronic control unit (30) controls the motor (see '130' in FIG. 3) by comparing the signal values ​​input from the torque sensor (31) and the angle sensor (32) with preset data. That is, the electric steering device (100) can be controlled to generate power based on the output signal of the electronic control unit (30).

[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a steering device having a pinion sensor structure according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 3, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a fixed slot provided in the housing cover of a pinion sensor structure according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the combined appearance of a fastening means according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention, FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the combined state of a fixed slot and a coupling part according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention, and FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view showing the appearance of a first boss part provided in a housing according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 7, a steering device (100) according to one aspect of the disclosed invention may include a housing (110) in which a reduction gear (120) is accommodated, a housing cover (140) coupled to the housing (110), a motor (130) for providing rotational force to the reduction gear (120), a sensing unit (150) disposed within the housing (110), and a fastening means (200) for fixing the sensing unit (150) to the housing (110).

[0030] The reduction gear (120) is for amplifying power generated from the motor (130) and transmitting it to a rack (not shown), and may be composed of a worm shaft (121) and a worm wheel (123).

[0031] The worm shaft (121) is connected to the motor shaft so as to rotate according to the driving of the motor (130). A worm gear is formed on the outer surface of the worm shaft (121).

[0032] The worm wheel (123) has gear teeth formed on its outer surface that mesh with the worm gear. An output shaft (125) having a pinion gear (126) formed thereon is connected to the center of the worm wheel (123). That is, the worm wheel (123) rotates together with the output shaft (125) by the rotational force received from the worm shaft (121), and the rack meshed with the pinion gear (126) moves laterally to assist in the operation of the driver's steering wheel (see '20' in FIG. 1) or to drive the steering device according to the driver's steering wheel operation.

[0033] These worm wheel (123) and worm shaft (121) are each received in the first receiving portion (111) and the second receiving portion (112) of the housing (110). That is, the first receiving portion (111) and the second receiving portion (112) are provided so that a portion of them are connected to each other, so that the worm wheel (123) and the worm shaft (121) are engaged at the portion where the first receiving portion (111) and the second receiving portion (112) are connected.

[0034] The first receiving portion (111) has one side open to receive a worm wheel (123), which is opened in the axial direction of the worm wheel (123) as illustrated, and a housing cover (140) is attached to the one side open of the first receiving portion (111). By attaching the housing cover (140), the one side open of the first receiving portion (111) is shielded, and a sensing unit (150) is provided between the housing cover (140) and the first receiving portion (111). An output shaft (125) attached to the center of the worm wheel (123) passes through the other side of the first receiving portion (111) of the housing (110) and is connected to a rack, and is rotatably supported in the first receiving portion (111) by a bearing (127).

[0035] Meanwhile, a first boss portion (210) is formed on the inner surface of the first receiving portion (111). This first boss portion (210) is one of the fastening means (200) for fixing the sensing unit (150) to the housing (110) and will be explained again below.

[0036] A motor (130) is coupled to the second receiving portion (112) by inserting a worm shaft (121) coupled with a motor shaft. Accordingly, one side of the second receiving portion (112) that is open is shielded by the motor (130).

[0037] The sensing unit (150) is connected to the output shaft (125) so as to face the worm wheel (123) at a certain distance. This sensing unit (150) may be provided as an angle sensor that measures the rotation angle of the worm wheel (123) which rotates according to the driving of the motor (130), or as a torque angle sensor capable of detecting torque and rotation angle in a single sensor. This sensing unit (150) may be provided to measure the rotation angle of the worm wheel (123) and transmit the detected measurement value to an electronic control unit (see '30' in FIG. 1). Since this sensing unit (150) is a widely known known technology, a detailed description will be omitted.

[0038] Meanwhile, a connecting part (230) may be formed protrudingly on the frame (151) forming the exterior of the sensing unit (150). The connecting part (230) is one of the fastening means (200) for fixing the sensing unit (150) to the housing (110) and will be explained again below.

[0039] The fastening means (200) is for fixing the sensing unit (150) to the housing (110) and may include a first boss portion (210) formed on the inner surface of the housing (110), a coupling portion (230) provided on the sensing unit (150), and a fixing slot (220) formed on the inner surface of the housing cover (140) into which the coupling portion (230) is inserted and coupled.

[0040] A first boss portion (210) may be formed in the first receiving portion (111) so that one side of the coupling portion (230) can come into contact. As shown in FIG. 7, the first boss portion (210) may be formed protruding from the inner circumference of the first receiving portion (111) so that one side of the protruding coupling portion (230) can come into contact when the sensing unit (150) rotates around the output axis (125).

[0041] The first boss part (210) can serve as a guide to temporarily fix the coupling part (230) in order to insert the coupling part (230) into the fixed slot (220) to be described later.

[0042] A fixed slot (220) is formed on the inner surface of the housing cover (140) so that a coupling part (230) can be inserted and coupled.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fixed slot (220) may be configured in the form of a slot groove (221) formed between a first slot surface (222) and a second slot surface (223) that are provided on the inner side of the housing cover (140) in a direction toward the housing (110).

[0044] A first slot surface (222) formed on one side of a fixed slot (220) can be extended in the slot direction to form a second boss portion (222) that can be contacted by the other side of the coupling portion (230), that is, the side opposite to the one side that contacts the first boss portion (210), and a second slot surface (223) formed on the other side can be extended shorter in the slot direction than the first slot surface (222). Therefore, when the other side of the coupling portion (230) contacts the second boss portion (222), the second slot surface (223) does not contact the coupling portion (230), and the coupling portion (230) may not be inserted into the slot groove (221).

[0045] The first slot surface (222) and the second slot surface (223) may be provided on the inner surface of the housing cover (140) to support both sides of the coupling portion (230). Accordingly, the first slot surface (222) and the second slot surface (223) are formed to extend from the inner surface of the housing cover (140) in the direction in which the housing (110) is coupled, so as to be spaced apart from each other at a certain distance.

[0046] The first slot surface (222) and the second slot surface (223) can be formed to have one body with the housing cover (140). Accordingly, when the coupling part (230) is inserted and coupled into the fixed slot (220), the sensing unit (150) is fixed to the housing cover (140) with restricted movement, and when the housing cover (140) is coupled to the housing (110), the sensing unit (150) is fixed to the housing (110).

[0047] The coupling portion (230) may be formed protruding from the frame (151) forming the exterior of the sensing unit (150). At this time, it is preferable that the coupling portion (230) be formed on the frame (151) at a position close to the inner surface of the first receiving portion (111). More specifically, the coupling portion (230) may have a coupling body (231) and an elastic member (233) formed on one of the two sides of the coupling body (231).

[0048] The connecting body (231) is formed to protrude from the frame (151) toward the inner surface of the housing (110), i.e., the first receiving portion (111). This connecting body (231) can be formed integrally with the frame (151).

[0049] The elastic member (233) may be provided to be elastically deformed when the coupling body (231) is coupled to the fixed slot (220). The elastic member (233) may have a first elastic part (234) that is formed to extend downward from the upper side of the coupling body (231) with an inclination, and a second elastic part (235) that is provided between the first elastic part (234) and the coupling body (231) to elastically support the first elastic part (234).

[0050] The first elastic part (234) may have a bending part (234a) that is bent from the connecting body (231), an elastic rock (234b) that is extended from the bending part (234a), and a round part (234c) formed at the end of the elastic rock (234b) that has a thickness greater than the thickness of the elastic rock (234b).

[0051] The second elastic part (235) is formed extending downward from the coupling body (231) and may include a bending part (235a) that is bent from the coupling body (231), a first elastic contact part (235b) that is curvedly extended from the bending part (235a) and arranged to contact the coupling body (231), and a second elastic contact part (235c) that is curvedly extended from the first elastic contact part (235b) and arranged to contact the first elastic part (234).

[0052] Accordingly, when the coupling portion (230) is coupled to the fixed slot (220), the second slot surface (223) is guided and coupled along one side of the coupling body (231) where the elastic member (233) is not provided, and the first slot surface (222) forming the second boss portion is coupled while pressing the elastic member (233). Accordingly, the elastic member (233) is pressed by the first slot surface (222) and elastically deforms toward the coupling body (231). As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the elastic member (233) undergoes elastic deformation, the first elastic part (234) is elastically deformed toward the coupling body (231) with respect to the bending part (234a) in accordance with the pressure of the first slot surface (222), and the second elastic part (235) is elastically deformed by the first elastic contact part (235b) and the second elastic contact part (235c) in accordance with the pressure resulting from the elastic deformation of the first elastic part (234), thereby providing an elastic restoring force to the first elastic part (234). Accordingly, a tight coupling state between the fixed slot (220) and the coupling part (230) can be maintained. This elastic member (233) can be formed integrally with the coupling body (231).

[0053] In one embodiment of the disclosed invention, the elastic member (233) includes a first elastic portion (234) that is formed to extend downward from the upper side of the coupling body (231) with an inclination, so that when the housing cover (140) is coupled from the upper side to the lower side, the second boss portion (222) can contact and apply pressure along the inclination of the first elastic portion (234). Accordingly, the coupling portion (230) can be easily coupled to the fixed slot (220).

[0054] When the housing cover (140) is coupled to the housing (110), the coupling portion (230) contacts the second boss portion (222) to be coupled to the fixed slot (220) and is spaced apart from the first boss portion (210). That is, the coupling portion (230) contacts the first boss portion (210) to be coupled to the fixed slot (220), but when the housing cover (140) is coupled to the housing (110), it is aligned to be spaced apart from the first boss portion (210) again. This will be explained again below through the assembly method of the pinion sensor structure.

[0055] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a sensing unit arranged according to an assembly method of a pinion sensor structure according to an embodiment of the disclosed invention, FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a sensing unit accommodated in a housing according to an assembly method of a pinion sensor structure according to an embodiment of the disclosed invention, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are drawings showing one side of a coupling part arranged to touch a first boss part according to an assembly method of a pinion sensor structure according to an embodiment of the disclosed invention, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are drawings showing a housing cover arranged according to an assembly method of a pinion sensor structure according to an embodiment of the disclosed invention, FIG. 14 is a drawing showing a coupling part and a fixing slot combined according to an assembly method of a pinion sensor structure according to an embodiment of the disclosed invention, FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are drawings showing a coupling part and a first boss part separated according to an assembly method of a pinion sensor structure according to an embodiment of the disclosed invention.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 8 to 16, a method for assembling a pinion sensor structure of a steering device according to one embodiment of the disclosed invention comprises the steps of: arranging a sensing unit (150) at a certain distance apart so as to face a worm wheel (123); accommodating the worm wheel (123) and the sensing unit (150) in a first receiving portion (111) provided in a housing (110) with one side open; arranging the sensing unit (150) so that one side of a coupling portion (230) protruding from the sensing unit (150) touches a first boss portion (210) formed in the first receiving portion (111); and arranging the housing cover (140) so that a second boss portion (222) formed in a fixing slot (220) of the housing cover (140) touches the other side of the coupling portion (230). The method may include the step of assembling the housing cover (140) to contact one side of the first receiving portion (111) while the connecting portion (230) and the second boss portion (222) are in contact, thereby connecting the connecting portion (230) and the fixing slot (220); the step of aligning the housing cover (140) and the housing (110) to separate the connecting portion (230) and the first boss portion (210); and the step of connecting the housing cover (140) and the housing (110).

[0057] FIG. 8 illustrates the step of positioning a sensing unit (150) at a certain distance so as to face a worm wheel (123). In the embodiment of the disclosed invention, the worm wheel (123) is coupled to an output shaft (125) on which a pinion gear (126) is formed, and the sensing unit (15) is positioned to face the worm wheel (123) and coupled to the output shaft (125). The sensing unit (15) can detect the rotation of the coupled output shaft (125) or the rotation of the worm wheel (123) facing it.

[0058] FIG. 9 illustrates the step of receiving a worm wheel (123) and a sensing unit (150) in a first receiving portion (111) provided in a housing (110) with one side open. In an embodiment of the disclosed invention, a structure comprising a worm wheel (123), an output shaft (125), a pinion gear (126), and a sensing unit (15) is received in the first receiving portion (111) of the housing (110). The first receiving portion (111) has one side open so that the worm wheel (123) and the sensing unit (150) can be inserted and received.

[0059] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a step in which one side of a connecting portion (230) formed protruding from a sensing unit (150) is positioned to touch a first boss portion (210) formed in a first receiving portion (111).

[0060] The sensing unit (150) can be positioned so as to touch the first boss portion (210) on one side of the coupling portion (230) when it is received in the first receiving portion (111), as shown in FIGS. 10 and FIGS. 11. By positioning the coupling portion (230) so that one side of it touches the first boss portion (210), the assembly worker can easily identify the position of the coupling portion (230) when assembling the housing cover (140) and can easily insert and attach the coupling portion (230) into the fixing slot (220).

[0061] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the step of positioning the housing cover (140) so that the second boss portion (222) formed in the fixing slot (220) of the housing cover (140) touches the other side of the coupling portion (230).

[0062] During assembly, the worker must attach the housing cover (140) to the open side of the first receiving portion (111) of the housing (110). At this time, it is necessary to insert and attach the coupling portion (230) of the sensing unit (150) into the fixed slot (220) provided in the housing cover (140). To do this, the positions of the fixed slot (220) and the coupling portion (230) must be aligned. In the disclosed invention, the worker can align the fixed slot (220) and the coupling portion (230) by positioning the second boss portion (222) formed in the fixed slot (220) so that it touches the other side of the coupling portion (230).

[0063] At this time, the first slot surface (222) on which the second boss portion (222) is formed is extended and protrudes longer than the second slot surface (223) on the opposite side of the fixed slot (220), so even if the second boss portion (222) touches the coupling portion (230), the second slot surface (223) and the coupling portion (230) may not come into contact. Accordingly, the coupling portion (230) is not inserted into the slot groove (221) of the fixed slot (220). At this time, the housing cover (140) may be spaced apart from the first receiving portion (111) of the housing (110) by a certain distance (d1).

[0064] Meanwhile, when one side of the coupling part (230) is in contact with the first boss part (210) and the other side is in contact with the second boss part (222), the housing cover (140) may be rotated by a predetermined angle at the final coupling position with the first receiving part (111) of the housing (110). FIG. 12 illustrates the appearance of the housing cover (140) rotated in this way. In the disclosed embodiment, the cover coupling part (145) provided on the housing cover (140) may be aligned and coupled with the housing coupling part (115) provided on the housing (110). At this time, because the housing cover (140) is rotated by a predetermined angle at the final coupling position with the first receiving part (111) of the housing (110), the cover coupling part (145) and the housing coupling part (115) are arranged without alignment.

[0065] FIG. 14 illustrates a step in which the housing cover (140) is assembled to touch one side of the first receiving portion (111) while the connecting portion (230) and the second boss portion (222) are in contact, thereby connecting the connecting portion (230) and the fixing slot (220).

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the second boss portion (222) is positioned to touch the other side of the coupling portion (230) to align the fixing slot (220) and the coupling portion (230). Then, the operator assembles the housing cover (140) so that it touches one side of the first receiving portion (111) while the second boss portion (222) touches the coupling portion (230). As the housing cover (140) is assembled to touch one side of the first receiving portion (111), the coupling portion (230) is inserted and coupled into the fixing slot (220) using the second boss portion (222) as a guide. That is, the coupling portion (230) is fixed with the first boss portion (210) touching one side and the second boss portion (222) touching the other side, and is inserted and coupled into the fixing slot (220). Because the worker cannot visually confirm the position of the fixed slot (220) and the coupling part (230) due to the housing cover (140), the worker maintains contact between the second boss part (222) and the coupling part (230), and by assembling the housing cover (140), the coupling part (230) can be easily inserted and coupled into the fixed slot (220) without being damaged by forced assembly.

[0067] FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate the step of aligning the housing cover (140) and the housing (110) to separate the joint portion (230) and the first boss portion (210).

[0068] As previously explained, when the first boss part (210) is in contact with one side of the coupling part (230) and the second boss part (222) is in contact with the other side, the housing cover (140) is rotated by a predetermined angle from the final coupling position with the housing (110). After inserting and coupling the coupling part (230) into the fixed slot (220), the operator can align the housing cover (140) and the housing (110) by rotating the housing cover (140) as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 15.

[0069] In this way, when the housing cover (140) is rotated and aligned, as shown in FIG. 16, the coupling part (230) coupled to the fixed slot (220) rotates together with the housing cover (140) and is spaced apart from the first boss part (210) by a certain distance (d2).

[0070] Subsequently, in the step of combining the housing cover (140) and the housing (110); the housing cover (140) and the housing (110) can be combined using a fastening member such as a screw between the cover coupling part (145) of the housing cover (140) and the housing coupling part (115) of the housing (110).

[0071] In one embodiment of the invention disclosed as described above, in order to connect a coupling part (230) to a fixed slot (220) provided in a housing cover (140), one side of the coupling part (230) is brought into contact with a first boss part (210), and the second boss part (222) of the housing cover (140) is brought into contact with the other side of the coupling part (230). The housing cover (140) is connected to the housing (110) so that the coupling part (230) is inserted and fixed in the fixed slot (220), and the housing cover (140) is rotated to align with the housing (110) so that the coupling part (230) is spaced apart from the first boss part (210) and assembled.

[0072] The first boss part (210) serves as a guide for inserting and connecting the connecting part (230) into the fixing slot (220) provided in the housing cover (140) to facilitate assembly, and when assembling the housing cover (140), the connecting part (230) is spaced apart from the first boss part (210) so that it is easy to determine whether the sensor unit (150) is fixed.

[0073] As described above, the disclosed embodiments have been explained with reference to the attached drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed invention may be practiced in forms different from the disclosed embodiments without altering the technical spirit or essential features of the disclosed invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be interpreted restrictively. Explanation of the symbols

[0074] 100: Electric power steering 110: Housing 120: Reducer 130: Motor 140: Housing cover 150: Sensing unit 200: Fastening means 210: First boss part 220: Fixed Slot 222: 2nd Boss Section 230: Joint

Claims

Claim 1 A pinion sensor structure of a steering device comprising: a housing having a first receiving portion having one side open to receive a worm wheel, and a second receiving portion communicating with the first receiving portion and receiving a worm shaft that meshes with the worm wheel; a sensing unit disposed spaced apart at a certain distance to face the worm wheel; and a housing cover coupled to one side of the first receiving portion; wherein the sensing unit is fixed to the housing cover, and the sensing unit includes a coupling portion protruding from a frame forming the exterior of the sensing unit; and the housing cover includes a fixing slot formed on the inner side of the housing cover into which the coupling portion is inserted and coupled; wherein the first receiving portion has a first boss portion formed therein to which one side of the coupling portion can be contacted, and the fixing slot has a second boss portion formed therein to which the other side of the coupling portion can be contacted. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 In claim 1, the fixed slot is a pinion sensor structure of a steering device in which a first slot surface formed on one side extends in the slot direction to form a second boss portion, and a second slot surface formed on the other side extends in the slot direction shorter than the first slot surface. Claim 5 A pinion sensor structure of a steering device, wherein, in the first paragraph, when the housing cover is coupled to the housing, the coupling portion contacts the second boss portion and is coupled to the fixed slot and is spaced apart from the first boss portion. Claim 6 A steering device comprising: a housing having a first receiving portion having one side open to receive a worm wheel coupled to an output shaft, and a second receiving portion communicating with the first receiving portion and receiving a worm shaft that meshes with the worm wheel; a motor coupled to the worm shaft and providing rotational force to the worm wheel through the worm shaft; a sensing unit spaced apart at a certain distance to face the worm wheel; and a housing cover coupled to one side of the first receiving portion; wherein the sensing unit is fixed to the housing cover, and the sensing unit includes a coupling portion protruding from a frame forming the exterior of the sensing unit; and the housing cover includes a fixing slot formed on the inner side of the housing cover into which the coupling portion is inserted and coupled; wherein the first receiving portion has a first boss portion formed to contact one side of the coupling portion, and the fixing slot has a second boss portion formed to contact the other side of the coupling portion. Claim 7 delete Claim 8 delete Claim 9 In claim 6, the fixed slot is a steering device in which a first slot surface formed on one side extends in the slot direction to form a second boss portion, and a second slot surface formed on the other side extends in the slot direction shorter than the first slot surface. Claim 10 A method for assembling a pinion sensor structure of a steering device, comprising: a step of positioning a sensing unit at a certain distance apart so as to face a worm wheel; a step of receiving the worm wheel and the sensing unit in a first receiving portion provided in a housing, the first receiving portion having one side open; a step of positioning the sensing unit so that one side of a coupling portion protruding from the sensing unit touches a first boss portion formed in the first receiving portion; a step of positioning the housing cover so that a second boss portion formed in a fixing slot of the housing cover touches the other side of the coupling portion; a step of assembling the housing cover to touch one side of the first receiving portion while the coupling portion and the second boss portion are in contact, thereby joining the coupling portion and the fixing slot; a step of aligning the housing cover and the housing to separate the coupling portion and the first boss portion; and a step of joining the housing cover and the housing.

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