Controller for motor power steering system

• US 6,751,538 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2002
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NSK Limited
• Original Assignee: NSK Limited
• Inventors: Endo, Shuji
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANCHO, RONNIE M
• Application Number:
  US10/048,010
• Publication Number:
  US 20030120404A1
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 701/41, 701/42, 701/36, 318/432, 318/433, 318/434, 180/400, 180/446, 180/447, 180/443
• US Class Current: 701/41
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/0463 calculating assisting torque from the motor based on driver input
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/0472 for damping vibrations

Abstract

In a control unit for an electric power steering apparatus, a mechanical system and a control system are designed to match a desirable complementary sensitivity function, and the steering is improved to obtain stable and comfortable steering feeling. For this purpose, there is provided a control unit for an electric power steering apparatus that controls a motor for giving steering auxiliary force to a steering mechanism based on a current control value calculated from a steering auxiliary command value calculated based on the steering torque generated in the steering shaft, and a current value of the motor. In this control unit, the complementary sensitivity function relative to a frequency is set to a level that approaches 1 in a band in which disturbance to be suppressed exists, and is set to a level that approaches 0 in a band in which disturbance to be transmitted exists.

Claims

1. A control unit for an electric power steering apparatus that controls a motor for giving steering auxiliary force to a steering mechanism, the control unit comprising:

a calculating section that calculates a steering auxiliary command value, wherein the calculation is based on steering torque generated in a steering shaft and on a complementary sensitivity function, wherein the complementary sensitivity function relative to a frequency is set to a level that approaches 1 in a band in which disturbance to be suppressed exists, and is set to a level that approaches 0 in a band in which disturbance to be transmitted exists; and

a control section that calculates a current control value for controlling the motor, wherein the calculation of the current control value is based on the steering auxiliary command value, and on a current value of the motor;

wherein an eigenvalue of the power steering apparatus that is set to 10 to 13 Hz, an eigenvalue of suspension that is set to 13 to 17 Hz, a flutter oscillation area that is set to 15 to 25 Hz, and a motor torque ripple area that is set to 15 to 30 Hz, are included in the band in which the disturbance to be suppressed exists.

2. The control unit for an electric power steering apparatus described in claim 1, wherein the complementary sensitivity function is obtained form a design of a mechanical control system and an electric control system.

3. The control unit for an electric power steering apparatus described in claim 2, wherein the mechanical control system is obtained from designs of a rolling-type rack and pinion mechanism, a rubber damper of a motor reduction gear mechanism, and a non-contact torque sensor.