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Power steering apparatus

  • US 6,334,502 B1
  • Filed: 03/31/2000
  • Issued: 01/01/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A power steering apparatus using an electric motor as a drive source, comprising:

  • a temperature detection section for detecting a temperature in a predetermined portion;

    a steering angle detection section for outputting steering angle data corresponding to a steering angle;

    a drive inhibiting circuit for inhibiting the electric motor from being driven when the temperature detected by the temperature detection section is not less than a predetermined upper-limit temperature;

    a judging circuit for judging, in a state where the electric motor is inhibited from being driven by the drive inhibiting circuit, whether or not the steering angle is included in a predetermined steering angle midpoint range on the basis of the steering angle data from the steering angle detection section when the temperature detected by the temperature detection section is lowered to not more than a predetermined lower-limit temperature; and

    a re-drive allowing circuit for allowing, when the judging circuit judges that the steering angle is within the steering angle midpoint range, the electric motor to be driven again.

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