Joint and a steering assist system using the same

摘要

In a steering assist system for providing steering assist by transmitting the rotation of an electric motor to a steering shaft via a worm shaft and a worm wheel meshed with a worm of the worm shaft, an output shaft of the electric motor and the worm shaft are inteconnected via a joint. The joint includes a cylindrical first transmission member mounted on the output shaft, a cylindrical second transmission member to which the worm shaft is mounted, and a cylindrical elastic body formed of rubber or the like and interposed between the first and second transmission members. The joint may further include a torque limiter including a spring which is interposed between an end surface of the second transmission member and a spring seat formed at an end surface of a third transmission member in opposed relation with the end surface of the second transmission member for inhibiting relative rotation between the second and third transmission members by way of frictional resistance at a contact surface between the spring and at least either one of these transmission members.