Patent ID: 6032091
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
An electric power steering apparatus comprising:an electric motor, driven by a power supply voltage of a battery supplied through an ignition switch, for applying an assist torque to a steering system;a steering torque detector for detecting a steering torque of the steering system and outputting a steering torque signal; anda control unit having a target current calculating part for calculating a target current to be supplied to the motor on the basis of the steering torque signal and outputting a target current signal, a motor current detector for detecting a current flowing through the motor and outputting a motor current signal, a deviation calculating part for calculating a deviation between the target current signal and the motor current signal and outputting a deviation signal, a drive control signal generating part for generating a drive current signal on the basis of the deviation signal and generating and outputting a drive control signal for driving the motor on the basis of the drive current signal, and a motor driving part for supplying current to the motor on the basis of the drive control signal,the control unit further comprising a drive signal fading part for gradually decreasing the drive current signal with time.