Patent ID: 6799656
Filing Date: 2004-10-05
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A control apparatus for a motor-driven power steering system of a motor vehicle, comprising:a steering mechanism operatively coupled to wheels of said motor vehicle for steering it in response to a steering torque transmitted from a steering wheel; steering angular information detecting means for detecting steering angular information of said steering mechanism; torque detecting means for detecting said steering torque of said steering mechanism; a controller for controlling a motor current on the basis of said steering angular information and magnitude and direction of said steering torque, an electric motor mechanically coupled to said steering mechanism for generating a steering assist torque corresponding to said motor current, said steering assist torque being applied to said steering wheel; motor-rotational information detecting means for detecting rotational information of said electric motor; and abnormality decision means designed to make decision that said steering angular information detecting means is abnormal when a difference between said steering angular information and said rotational information is not smaller than a reference value preset for comparison.