Patent · US Active

Electric power steering apparatus and method for controlling the electric power steering apparatus

US7406375B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
2References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 10, 2007
Grant dateJul 29, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 10, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB62D5/049
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

When it is determined that the torque output from the electric motor abnormally fluctuates or the torque output from the electric motor varies between clockwise and counterclockwise turning operations of the driver's steering wheel, the steering assist control is continued if the vehicle speed v is equal to or lower than the reference speed v0. In this case, the width of the dead band of the steering torque in the assist map used to calculate the target assist torque is increased. Thus, only in a case where the vehicle is moving at a low speed and the driver's steering wheel is operated with a great force, the steering assist torque is produced to alleviate the burden on the driver. In the other cases, the electric motor is stopped to minimize a sense of discomfort in the steering operation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.