Electric power steering apparatus
First Claim
1. An electric power steering apparatus for a vehicle comprising:
- a steering torque sensor for detecting steering torque applied to a steering system of the vehicle;
an electric motor for imparting electric steering assist torque to the steering system; and
a control unit for controlling operation of said electric motor, said control unit including;
a target motor current setting section for generating a target motor current signal on the basis of at least the steering torque detected by said steering torque sensor;
a non-steady state detector section for detecting a non-steady state of the vehicle and generating a modification signal for modifying the target motor current signal in response to detection of the non-steady state of the vehicle; and
a modification section for modifying the target motor current signal in a returning direction of a steering wheel in accordance with the modification signal.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Electric power steering apparatus includes a control nit for controlling an electric motor to impart electric steering assist torque to the steering system of an automotive vehicle. The control unit is provided with a non-steady state detector section that generates a modification signal when it detects a non-steady state of the vehicle in which the steering wheel is turned to an excessive extent. Target motor current signal, which acts to impart the electric steering assist torque corresponding to manual steering torque, is modified by the control unit in accordance with the modification signal generated by the non-steady state detector section. Thus, the tire-to-steering-wheel torque is assisted in a returning direction of the steering wheel, so that the steering wheel is allowed to return to its center position at an increased speed.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. An electric power steering apparatus for a vehicle comprising:
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a steering torque sensor for detecting steering torque applied to a steering system of the vehicle;
an electric motor for imparting electric steering assist torque to the steering system; and
a control unit for controlling operation of said electric motor, said control unit including;
a target motor current setting section for generating a target motor current signal on the basis of at least the steering torque detected by said steering torque sensor;
a non-steady state detector section for detecting a non-steady state of the vehicle and generating a modification signal for modifying the target motor current signal in response to detection of the non-steady state of the vehicle; and
a modification section for modifying the target motor current signal in a returning direction of a steering wheel in accordance with the modification signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification