Electric power steering apparatus
US6041884A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 11, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 28, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 11, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D6/008
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An electric power steering apparatus comprises a motor for applying an auxiliary torque to a steering system, a steering torque sensor for detecting a steering torque in the steering system and a control unit for drive-controlling the motor based on at least a steering torque signal from the steering torque sensor. The control unit includes a motor control unit and a failure detecting unit for detecting a failure of the control unit. Based on a failure detection signal from the failure detecting unit, the motor drive control unit switches over from a normal mode in which no failure exists in the apparatus to a first failure mode in which a certain failure exists in the apparatus and an assist ratio is changed to about half of that of the normal mode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.