JP2005047938A - Lubricant composition, reducer using the same and electric power steering apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lubricant composition reducing noises of a reducer, etc., more than conventional technology irrespective of the magnitude of backlash when a small gear is combined with a large gear without complicating the structure and to provide a reducer using the composition and an electric power steering apparatus using the reducer. <P>SOLUTION: The lubricant composition comprises, in the lubricant base oil, microparticles interposing in a meshed part of both the gears and serving to reduce the noises and two or more kinds of thickeners containing at least silica. The reducer 50 is obtained by filling a region including the meshed part A of both the gears with the lubricant composition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lubricant composition that can be suitably used for a speed reducer having a small gear such as a worm and a large gear such as a worm wheel, a speed reducer filled with the lubricant composition, and an electric motor including the speed reducer. The present invention relates to a power steering device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A reduction gear is used for an electric power steering device for an automobile. For example, in the column type EPS, the rotation of the electric motor is reduced by transmitting the rotation of the electric motor from a small gear such as a worm to a large gear such as a worm wheel, and the output is amplified and then applied to the column, thereby giving a steering operation. Torque assist. Appropriate backlash is required for meshing between the small gear and the large gear as a reduction mechanism. However, rattling noise may occur due to backlash, for example, when the gear rotates forward or reverse, or when a reaction force from a tire is input while traveling on a rough road such as a stone pavement. If the sound is transmitted as noise in the passenger compartment, the driver is uncomfortable.
[0003]
For this reason, conventionally, the reduction gears are assembled by selecting the combination of the small gears and the large gears so as to achieve an appropriate backlash, so-called layered assembly, but this method has a problem that productivity is extremely low. is there. Further, even if the assembly is performed in layers, there is another problem that uneven steering torque occurs due to eccentricity of the shaft of the worm wheel.
Therefore, for example, an electric power steering apparatus that can bias the worm shaft toward the worm wheel and eliminates backlash by providing a biasing means such as a spring body that biases the worm shaft in the biasing direction. Have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-43739 A (columns 0007 to 0009, FIG. 1)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the speed reducer disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the structure is extremely complicated and the manufacturing cost is increased.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a lubricant composition capable of reducing noise, regardless of the size of backlash when a small gear and a large gear are combined, and without complicating the structure. It is an object to provide an object, a reduction gear with low noise by using the object, and an electric power steering device using the same.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The lubricant composition of the present invention is a lubricant composition containing a lubricating base oil, a thickener, and fine particles, and is used in combination with silica as a thickener and other thickeners other than that. It is characterized by that.
As the thickener other than silica, it is preferable to use at least one of a soap thickener and another non-soap thickener excluding silica.
[0007]
Moreover, it is preferable to use a silica having a secondary particle diameter of 1 to 50 μm and an oil absorption of 50 to 600 ml / 100 g in the state of secondary particles.
Furthermore, the kinematic viscosity of the lubricating base oil is 20 to 100 mm. ² / S (40 ° C.), and the consistency of the lubricant composition is represented by an NLGI (National Lubricating Grease Institute) number. 2-No. 00 is preferred.
The speed reducer of the present invention is characterized in that a region including a small gear and a large gear and including a meshing portion of both gears is filled with the above-described lubricant composition.
[0008]
Furthermore, the electric power steering apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the output of the steering assist motor is decelerated via the reduction gear and transmitted to the steering mechanism.
[0009]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the fine particles dispersed in the lubricant composition are interposed in the meshing portion between the small gear and the large gear, whereby the noise can be greatly reduced.
Further, according to the present invention, silica as a thickener is present in the lubricant composition in the form of secondary particles in the initial stage of use, and a minute gap between the primary particles forming the secondary particles, Each primary particle absorbs the lubricating base oil, and after the start of use, the secondary particles are gradually decomposed by the shearing force and dispersed in the lubricant composition. By absorbing the oil, it is possible to improve the holding power of the lubricating base oil in the lubricant composition, and to prevent oil separation that tends to increase with the passage of time over a long period of time.
[0010]
For this reason, in order to contain the fine particles that work to increase the viscosity by inhibiting the flow of the lubricant composition, the lubricant base oil is blended more than usual to lower the viscosity to an appropriate range, In such a lubricant composition, it is possible to more reliably prevent oil separation and maintain good lubrication over a long period of time.
Moreover, by simply adding fine particles to the lubricant composition and using two or more kinds including silica as a thickener, the noise can be reduced at low cost without complicating the structure of the reduction gear. You can also.
[0011]
As other thickeners used in the lubricant composition together with silica, as described above, soap-based thickeners and other non-soap thickeners excluding silica can be used.
In addition, when considering that the secondary particles are gradually decomposed at an appropriate speed when subjected to shearing force and exhibit good oil absorbency over a long period of time as described above, the secondary The particle diameter is preferably 1 to 50 μm as described above.
[0012]
Further, in order for silica to maintain good oil absorption in both the state of the secondary particles and the state after being dispersed in the primary particles, the oil absorption amount in the state of the secondary particles is 50 to 600 ml / 100 g. Is preferred.
Considering that the lubricant composition exhibits good lubricating performance, the kinematic viscosity of the lubricating base oil is 20 to 100 mm. ² / S (40 ° C.), and the consistency of the lubricant composition is represented by NLGI No. 2-No. 00 is preferred.
[0013]
Further, the speed reducer of the present invention is preferable in that noise due to backlash can be reduced because the lubricant composition is contained in a region including the meshing portion of the small gear and the large gear.
Furthermore, the electric power steering apparatus of the present invention is to reduce the noise in the passenger compartment at low cost because the output of the steering assist motor is decelerated via the reduction gear and transmitted to the steering mechanism. preferable.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is described below.
<Lubricant composition>
The lubricant composition of the present invention contains a lubricant, a thickener, and fine particles as described above, and is used in combination with silica as a thickener and other thickeners other than that. It is a feature.
[0015]
Of these, any conventionally known fine powdery silica synthesized by a dry method or a wet method can be used as the silica. In particular, the secondary particles described above are gradually decomposed at an appropriate rate. In addition, since it has an excellent effect of exhibiting good oil absorption over a long period of time and has an appropriate amount of oil absorption, silica produced by a precipitation method among wet methods is particularly preferably used.
The secondary particle diameter of silica is preferably 1 to 50 μm as described above. If the secondary particle size is less than 1 μm, all secondary particles will be decomposed into primary particles in a short time after the start of use, and therefore, oil separation that tends to increase with the passage of time can be prevented well over a long period of time. It may not be possible. Also, if it exceeds 50 μm, immediately after the start of use, such huge secondary particles are rapidly decomposed by shearing force and the oil absorption amount is rapidly increased, and accordingly the lubricant composition is rapidly hardened. The initial characteristics of the lubricant composition may be destabilized.
[0016]
Further, the oil absorption amount in the state of secondary particles of silica is preferably 50 to 600 ml / 100 g as described above. If the amount of oil absorption in the state of secondary particles is less than 50 ml / 100 g, the initial oil absorption may be insufficient and the increase in oil absorption after decomposition into primary particles cannot be expected so much, so oil separation is reliably prevented. It may not be possible. In addition, when the oil absorption exceeds 600 ml / 100 g, the lubricant composition becomes too hard and the fluidity is lowered. Therefore, an appropriate amount of fine particles are interposed in the meshing portion between the small gear and the large gear. There is a possibility that the effect of reducing noise caused by backlash cannot be obtained.
[0017]
Moreover, it is preferable to contain a silica in the ratio of 1-5 weight part with respect to 100 weight part of lubricating base oil. If it is less than 1 part by weight, the effect of preventing the above-mentioned lubricating base oil from being removed by silica may be insufficient. When the amount exceeds 5 parts by weight, the lubricant composition becomes too hard and the fluidity is lowered. Therefore, an appropriate amount of fine particles are interposed in the meshing portion of the small gear and the large gear, resulting in backlash. There is a risk that the effect of reducing noise will not be obtained.
[0018]
Silica absorbs about 5 to 30% by weight of the total amount of the lubricating base oil, and functions to prevent oil separation as described above.
Silica may be mixed in the lubricating base oil and then sufficiently kneaded using a roll mill or the like to decompose the secondary particles in advance and disperse them in the form of primary particles.
As other thickeners used in combination with silica, as described above, soap-based thickeners and other non-soap thickeners other than silica can be used.
[0019]
Among these, examples of the soap thickener include soaps such as alkali metals (Li, Na, K), alkaline earth metals (Ca, Sr, Ba), Al, Zn, and Cu. Examples of the soap type include metal salts of higher fatty acids (metal soap type, mixed soap type), and complex salts (complex type) of higher fatty acids with lower fatty acids or dibasic acids.
Specific examples of soap thickeners include, but are not limited to,
(I) an alkali metal salt, an alkaline earth metal salt of an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having 12 to 24 carbon atoms and / or an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having 12 to 24 carbon atoms containing at least one hydroxyl group, or Al salt,
(II) an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having 12 to 24 carbon atoms and / or an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having 12 to 24 carbon atoms containing at least one hydroxyl group and an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having 2 to 11 carbon atoms Ca complex salt with
(III) Al complex salt of an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having 12 to 24 carbon atoms and an aromatic monocarboxylic acid having 7 to 24 carbon atoms,
(IV) an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having 12 to 24 carbon atoms and / or an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having 12 to 24 carbon atoms containing at least one hydroxyl group and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid having 2 to 12 carbon atoms or Li complex salt with at least one of diester thereof, aromatic monocarboxylic acid having 7 to 24 carbon atoms or ester thereof, phosphate ester, and borate ester
And so on.
[0020]
Non-soap thickeners other than silica are broadly classified into inorganic and organic. Among these, examples of inorganic non-soap thickeners include bentonite and boron nitrite.
Examples of the organic non-soap thickener include the formula (i):
R ¹ NHCONHR ² NHCONHR ¹ (I)
[In the formula, R ¹ Represents a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated, monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, and R ² Represents a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 15 carbon atoms. ]
A diurea compound represented by the formula: R in the formula (i) ¹ Are allyl urea compounds, polyurea compounds, phthalocyanine compounds, terephthalamate compounds, indanthrene, and amelin, which are monovalent aromatic hydrocarbon groups having 6 to 15 carbon atoms.
[0021]
Each of these thickeners can be used alone or in combination of two or more.
For example, the thickener other than silica may be contained in an amount capable of adjusting the consistency of the lubricant composition containing silica within the above-mentioned range of suitable content to the above range.
Specifically, the thickener other than silica is preferably contained in a proportion of 1 to 30 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the lubricating base oil. Further, the total amount of the thickener containing silica is preferably 2 to 35 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the lubricating base oil.
[0022]
As the fine particles, various fine particles having a function of reducing the noise of the reduction gear can be used by being interposed in the meshing portion of the reduction gear with the small gear and the large gear.
Such fine particles are classified into the following three types depending on the combination of the material of the small gear and the large gear.
(1) Microparticles of cushioning material used when one of both gears is resin and the other is metal.
(2) Similarly, fine particles made of a material softer than a metal tooth surface and harder than a resin tooth surface, which is used when one of both gears is a resin and the other is a metal.
(3) Fine particles made of a metal softer than a metal tooth surface, used when both gears are made of metal.
[0023]
Among these, the fine particles of the cushioning material (1) are interposed in the meshing portion of the small gear and the large gear, and serve to reduce the noise of the reduction gear by buffering the collision between both tooth surfaces. Although it is a small amount (about 1 to 10% by weight of the total amount of the lubricating base oil), it also functions to absorb the lubricating base oil together with the silica to prevent oil separation.
As the fine particles of the buffer material, for example, Young's modulus is 1 to 10 ⁵ Particles made of synthetic resin of about MPa or synthetic rubber particles can be used. If the Young's modulus of the synthetic resin is less than 1 MPa, the fine particles are too soft, and conversely, 10 ⁵ Since it will become hard too much when it exceeds MPa, there exists a possibility that a buffer action may fall in any of these cases.
[0024]
Examples of the synthetic resin include polyolefin resin, polyamide resin, polyester resin, polyacetal resin, polyphenylene oxide resin, polyimide resin, fluororesin, thermoplastic or curable urethane resin, and the like. Further, for example, olefin-based, urethane-based, polyester-based, polyamide-based, fluorine-based and other oil-resistant thermoplastic elastomers can be used.
On the other hand, examples of the synthetic rubber include ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber (EPM), ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer rubber (EPDM), silicone rubber, urethane rubber (U), and the like.
[0025]
The buffer material preferably has a self-lubricating property. Examples of the buffer material include those made of polyolefin resin, polyamide resin, fluororesin, fluoroplastic elastomer, and fluororesin as a lubricant. And a buffer material made of synthetic resin and synthetic rubber to which is added.
The average particle size of the fine particles is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 400 μm. If the average particle size is less than 0.1 μm, there is a possibility that sufficient buffering action may not be obtained, and conversely if it exceeds 400 μm, separation from the lubricant is likely to occur, and a uniform lubricant composition may not be obtained. is there.
[0026]
In consideration of further improving the buffering action, the average particle diameter of the buffer material powder is preferably 10 μm or more, particularly 50 μm or more, and more preferably 100 μm or more even within the above range.
Further, when a buffer material powder having an average particle size of 10 μm or more and a buffer material powder having a particle size of less than 10 μm are used in combination, a buffer material powder having a small average particle size fills a gap between the buffer material powder having a large average particle size, The buffering action can be further improved.
[0027]
Various shapes such as a spherical shape, a granular shape, a flake shape, and a rod shape can be selected as the shape of the fine particles, but in consideration of the fluidity of the lubricant composition, the spherical shape or the granular shape is particularly preferable.
The fine particles of the buffer material are preferably blended at a ratio of 40 to 200 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the lubricant.
If the proportion of fine particles is less than 40 parts by weight, the buffering action by the fine particles may be insufficient, and conversely, if it exceeds 200 parts by weight, the fluidity of the lubricant composition decreases, and the lubricant May not function as
[0028]
Next, when the speed reducer is operated, a part of the fine particles of (2) bite into the tooth surface made of resin, which is softer than the small gear and the large gear, and partially from the tooth surface. A plurality of protrusions are formed on the tooth surface by being fixed in a protruding state. The protrusions optimize the backlash and reduce the noise of the reduction gear. In addition, the fine particles of (2) are also in a small amount (about 1 to 10% by weight of the total amount of the lubricating base oil), but the lubricating base oil is absorbed together with silica to prevent oil separation. I also do.
[0029]
As such fine particles, those formed of various organic and inorganic materials that are softer than the metal tooth surface to be combined and harder than the resin tooth surface can be used.
However, considering that the projections made of fine particles and the metal surface collide with each other, noise is generated, the projections damage the metal surface, or the projections are not easily cracked or crushed. In particular, it is preferable to form the resin with excellent elasticity and toughness.
[0030]
For example, when a resin-made tooth surface is formed of a general polyamide-based resin (unreinforced product) as a resin gear material, the fine particles are harder than the polyamide-based resin and more than the metal surface. What is necessary is just to form with soft resin. Specific examples thereof include so-called engineering plastics such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and cured products of thermosetting resins. The hardness can be defined by, for example, Rockwell hardness.
[0031]
The average particle size of the fine particles is preferably 10 to 200 μm. If the average particle diameter is less than 10 μm, the height of the protrusion formed on the resin tooth surface is too low, and the effect of optimizing the backlash may be insufficient. It becomes easy to separate from the agent, and there is a possibility that a uniform lubricant composition cannot be obtained.
In addition, the fine particles can flexibly cope with variations in backlash between the small gear and the large gear to be combined, and the meshing portion between the small gear and the large gear is clogged by surplus fine particles that are not fixed to the resin tooth surface. It is preferable that the particle size distribution is not monodispersed but has a certain particle size distribution in consideration of reducing the noise by filling it.
[0032]
In other words, by the input by the operation of the speed reducer, fine particles having a relatively large particle size bite into the resin tooth surface to form protrusions, but those having a small particle size are not fixed and formed protrusions. It works to further reduce noise by filling the gap.
Various shapes of fine particles can be selected, but considering the ease of biting into the resin tooth surface, the shape of the protrusion after biting, or the fluidity of the lubricant composition, it is particularly spherical or granular. Is preferred.
[0033]
The fine particles are preferably blended at a ratio of 3 to 50 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the lubricant.
If the proportion of the fine particles is less than 3 parts by weight, the effect of forming projections and optimizing backlash due to the fine particles may be insufficient. Conversely, if the proportion exceeds 50 parts by weight, the lubricant composition Therefore, there is a possibility that the fluidity of the resin may not function as a lubricant.
[0034]
Next, the fine particles made of soft metal (3) are crushed by interposing in advance in the meshing portion of the small gear and the large gear in the initial stage of lubrication, and thereafter by meshing of the small gear and the large gear. Thus, by attaching to the metal tooth surfaces of both gears in layers, the backlash is optimized and the noise of the speed reducer is reduced.
As such fine particles, those made of various metals and alloys which are softer than the metal tooth surfaces to be combined can be used. As a specific example, for example, when the tooth surface is iron or steel, powders such as bronze, copper, tin, zinc, silver, gold, and aluminum can be used as fine particles.
[0035]
The fine particles can be produced by various conventionally known methods such as an electrolytic method, a pulverizing method, and an atomizing method.
The average particle size of the fine particles is preferably 5 to 150 μm. If the average particle size is less than 5 μm, the effect of optimizing the backlash by interposing the meshing portion between the small gear and the large gear may be insufficient particularly in the initial stage of lubrication. It becomes easy to isolate | separate from, and there exists a possibility that a uniform lubricant composition may not be obtained.
[0036]
The fine particles are preferably blended at a ratio of 3 to 50 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the lubricant.
If the proportion of the fine particles is less than 3 parts by weight, the effect of optimizing the backlash by interposing the meshing portion of the small gear and the large gear at the initial stage of lubrication due to the fine particles, and then laminating on the metal tooth surface The effect of adhering and optimizing the backlash may be insufficient, and conversely, if it exceeds 50 parts by weight, the fluidity of the lubricant composition may be reduced and may not function as a lubricant. .
[0037]
As the lubricating base oil, a synthetic hydrocarbon oil (for example, a polyalphaolefin oil) is preferable, but synthetic oils such as silicone oil, foot oil, ester oil, ether oil, and mineral oil can also be used. The kinematic viscosity of the lubricating base oil is 5 to 200 mm ² / S (40 ° C.) is preferable, and 20 to 100 mm. ² More preferably, it is / s (40 degreeC). In addition, lubricant compositions include solid lubricants (molybdenum disulfide, graphite, PTFE, etc.), phosphorus-based and sulfur-based extreme pressure additives, antioxidants such as tributylphenol and methylphenol, and rust prevention as necessary. Agents, metal deactivators, viscosity index improvers, oiliness agents and the like may be added.
[0038]
<Reduction gear and electric power steering device>
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an electric power steering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.
Referring to FIG. 1, in the electric power steering apparatus of this example, a first steering shaft 2 as an input shaft to which a steering wheel 1 is attached and a steering mechanism (not shown) such as a rack and pinion mechanism. A second steering shaft 3 as an output shaft to be connected is coaxially connected via a torsion bar 4.
[0039]
The housing 5 that supports the first and second steering shafts 2 and 3 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy and is attached to a vehicle body (not shown). The housing 5 includes a sensor housing 6 and a gear housing 7 that are fitted together. Specifically, the gear housing 7 has a cylindrical shape, and an annular edge portion 7 a at the upper end thereof is fitted into an annular step portion 6 a on the outer periphery of the lower end of the sensor housing 6. The gear housing 7 accommodates a worm gear mechanism 8 as a speed reduction mechanism, and the sensor housing 6 accommodates a torque sensor 9, a control board 10, and the like. The reduction gear 50 is configured by housing the worm gear mechanism 8 in the gear housing 7.
[0040]
The worm gear mechanism 8 is integrally rotated with an intermediate portion in the axial direction of the second steering shaft 3 and is restricted from moving in the axial direction. The worm gear mechanism 8 meshes with the worm wheel 12 and is connected to the rotary shaft 32 of the electric motor M. The worm shaft 11 (see FIG. 2) is connected via a spline joint 33.
Of these, the worm wheel 12 includes an annular cored bar 12a coupled to the second steering shaft 3 so as to be integrally rotatable, and a synthetic resin member 12b surrounding the cored bar 12a and forming teeth on the outer peripheral surface portion. ing. The cored bar 12a is inserted into a mold at the time of resin molding of the synthetic resin member 12b, for example.
[0041]
The second steering shaft 3 is rotatably supported by first and second rolling bearings 13 and 14 that are disposed with the worm wheel 12 sandwiched between the upper and lower sides in the axial direction.
The outer ring 15 of the first rolling bearing 13 is fitted and held in a bearing holding hole 16 provided in the cylindrical projection 6 b at the lower end of the sensor housing 6. Further, the upper end surface of the outer ring 15 is in contact with the annular step portion 17, and movement in the axial direction with respect to the sensor housing 6 is restricted.
[0042]
On the other hand, the inner ring 18 of the first rolling bearing 13 is fitted to the second steering shaft 3 by an interference fit. Further, the lower end surface of the inner ring 18 is in contact with the upper end surface of the core metal 12 a of the worm wheel 12.
The outer ring 19 of the second rolling bearing 14 is fitted and held in the bearing holding hole 20 of the gear housing 7. Further, the lower end surface of the outer ring 19 is in contact with the annular step portion 21, and movement in the axially downward direction with respect to the gear housing 7 is restricted.
[0043]
On the other hand, the inner ring 22 of the second rolling bearing 14 is attached to the second steering shaft 3 such that the inner ring 22 is integrally rotatable and the relative movement in the axial direction is restricted. Further, the inner ring 22 is sandwiched between a step portion 23 of the second steering shaft 3 and a nut 24 that is fastened to a screw portion of the second steering shaft 3.
The torsion bar 4 passes through the first and second steering shafts 2 and 3. The upper end 4a of the torsion bar 4 is connected to the first steering shaft 2 by a connecting pin 25 so as to be integrally rotatable, and the lower end 4b is connected to the second steering shaft 3 by a connecting pin 26 so as to be integrally rotatable. The lower end of the second steering shaft 3 is connected to a steering mechanism such as a rack and pinion mechanism as described above via an intermediate shaft (not shown).
[0044]
The connecting pin 25 connects the third steering shaft 27 disposed coaxially with the first steering shaft 2 so as to be integrally rotatable with the first steering shaft 2. The third steering shaft 27 passes through the tube 28 constituting the steering column.
The upper portion of the first steering shaft 2 is rotatably supported by the sensor housing 6 via a third rolling bearing 29 made of, for example, a needle roller bearing. The reduced diameter portion 30 at the lower part of the first steering shaft 2 and the hole 31 at the upper part of the second steering shaft 3 regulate the relative rotation of the first and second steering shafts 2 and 3 within a predetermined range. And a predetermined play in the rotational direction.
[0045]
Next, referring to FIG. 2, the worm shaft 11 is rotatably supported by fourth and fifth rolling bearings 34 and 35 held by the gear housing 7.
Inner rings 36 and 37 of the fourth and fifth rolling bearings 34 and 35 are fitted in corresponding constricted portions of the worm shaft 11. The outer rings 38 and 39 are respectively held in bearing holding holes 40 and 41 of the gear housing 7.
[0046]
The gear housing 7 includes a portion 7 b that faces a part of the peripheral surface of the worm shaft 11 in the radial direction.
Further, the outer ring 38 of the fourth rolling bearing 34 that supports the one end portion 11 a of the worm shaft 11 is positioned in contact with the stepped portion 42 of the gear housing 7. On the other hand, the movement of the inner ring 36 toward the other end portion 11 b is restricted by contacting the positioning step portion 43 of the worm shaft 11.
[0047]
Further, the inner ring 37 of the fifth rolling bearing 35 that supports the vicinity of the other end portion 11b (joint side end portion) of the worm shaft 11 is brought into contact with the positioning step portion 44 of the worm shaft 11 so as to move toward the one end portion 11a side. Movement is restricted. The outer ring 39 is urged toward the fourth rolling bearing 34 by a preload adjusting screw member 45. The screw member 45 is screwed into a screw hole 46 formed in the gear housing 7, thereby applying preload to the pair of rolling bearings 34 and 35 and positioning the worm shaft 11 in the axial direction. 47 is a lock nut engaged with the screw member 45 in order to fix the screw member 45 after the preload adjustment.
[0048]
In the gear housing 7, a region including at least the meshing portion A of the worm shaft 11 and the worm wheel 12 is filled with the lubricant composition described above. That is, the lubricant composition may be filled only in the meshing portion A, or may be filled in the entire periphery of the meshing portion A and the worm shaft 11 or in the entire gear housing 7.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the configuration of the speed reducer of the present invention can be applied to a speed reducer for a device other than an electric power steering device, and various modifications are made within the scope of the matters described in the claims of the present invention. Can be applied.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an electric power steering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
A meshing part
M Electric motor
11 Worm shaft (small gear)
12 Worm wheel (large gear)
50 reducer

Claims (6)

A lubricant composition comprising a lubricant base oil, a thickener, and fine particles, wherein the lubricant composition is a combination of silica and another thickener as a thickener. Stuff. The lubricant composition according to claim 1, wherein as the thickener other than silica, at least one of a soap thickener and another non-soap thickener excluding silica is used. The lubricant composition according to claim 1, wherein the silica has a secondary particle diameter of 1 to 50 µm and an oil absorption of 50 to 600 ml / 100 g in the state of secondary particles. The kinematic viscosity of the lubricating base oil is 20 to 100 mm ² / s (40 ° C.), and the consistency of the lubricant composition is represented by an NLGI number. 2-No. The lubricant composition according to claim 1, which is 00. A speed reducer characterized in that the lubricant composition according to claim 1 is filled in a region including a small gear and a large gear and including a meshing portion of both gears. An electric power steering apparatus characterized in that the output of a steering assist motor is decelerated via the reduction gear according to claim 5 and transmitted to a steering mechanism.

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