Patent ID: 7908057
Filing Date: 2011-03-15
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A power steering apparatus comprising: steering force detecting means for detecting a steering force; a motor of a permanent magnet field type for supplementing the steering force; and control means having motor driving means and abnormality monitoring means, for controlling driving of the motor, wherein: the motor driving means includes an inverter for driving the motor, and drive signal generating means for calculating a target current caused to flow through the motor based on an output of the steering force detecting means, and outputting a drive signal for driving the inverter based on the target current, the inverter including upper switching elements connected between a battery and the motor and lower switching elements connected between the motor and a ground; and the abnormality monitoring means includes abnormality processing means for opening the upper switching elements and closing the lower switching elements, thereby constituting a closed-loop circuit including the motor in stopping driving of the motor.