Patent ID: 6445151
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A controller for a motor-driven power steering mechanism including a steering mechanism, a steering wheel connected to the steering mechanism, a torque-sensing mechanism for sensing steering torque applied to the steering wheel, and an electric motor for producing an assisting steering torque, the controller comprising:a control section for controlling the electric motor on the basis of a control signal corresponding to the steering torque sensed by the torque-sensing mechanism; an anomalous-state judgment section which receives the control signal output from the control section, determines a degree of continuity of a state in which the control signal assumes an anomalous level, and judges that the control section is anomalous when the determined degree of continuity reaches a predetermined level; and wherein the anomalous-state judgment section comprises a control prohibition section for stopping control of the electric motor when the anomalous-state judgment section detects an anomalous-state of the control section.