Patent ID: 7973504
Filing Date: 2011-07-05
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A method for detecting and overcoming a motor lock condition of a steering assist motor as a result of position sensor signal corruption of a position sensor sensing the position of the motor in a vehicle, said method comprising: determining a speed of the vehicle; determining a change in an electrical angle of the motor in a commanded direction of the motor; determining a torque current command for the motor; determining how long the torque current command has been above a predetermined threshold; reducing the torque current command to a predetermined low torque current command if the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined minimum speed, the torque current command is greater than a predetermined torque current command threshold, the time that the torque current command has been above the predetermined current command threshold is greater than a predetermined maximum duration and the change in the electrical angle of the motor in a commanded direction is less than a predetermined minimum angle; and determining if at least one condition monitoring signal of the position sensor is greater than a predetermined condition threshold.