Abstract: This disclosure describes a method for shorting one or more windings in a steering motor. The method determines that a signal has not been received at a circuit from a processor. The method discharges a first capacitor in the circuit in response to the circuit not receiving the signal from the processor. The method turns on a first plurality of transistors via a resistor in response to discharging the first capacitor. The method turns on a second plurality of transistors in response to turning on the first plurality of transistors. The method sends a short circuit signal from the second plurality of transistors to a steering motor.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a method for shorting one or more windings in a steering motor. The method determines that a signal has not been received at a circuit from a processor. The method discharges a first capacitor in the circuit in response to the circuit not receiving the signal from the processor. The method turns on a first plurality of transistors via a resistor in response to discharging the first capacitor. The method turns on a second plurality of transistors in response to turning on the first plurality of transistors. The method sends a short circuit signal from the second plurality of transistors to a steering motor.

Abstract: A steering assistance actuator for a vehicle includes a actuator shaft, a torque sensor, a motor, a drive mechanism and a drive housing. The actuator shaft is rotatable about a first axis. The actuator shaft includes an integral torque sensor. The motor has an output shaft rotatable about a second axis. The second axis is substantially parallel to the first axis. The drive mechanism is disposed between and drivingly connects the motor and the steering column. The drive mechanism provides a speed reduction from the motor to the actuator shaft. The drive housing encloses the torque sensor and the drive mechanism and is separate from a steering gear. The drive housing also has a mounting feature to which a housing of the motor is fixed. The drive housing also has a first bearing and a second bearing rotatably supporting the actuator shaft in the drive housing.

Abstract: A steering assistance actuator for a vehicle includes a actuator shaft, a torque sensor, a motor, a drive mechanism and a drive housing. The actuator shaft is rotatable about a first axis. The actuator shaft includes an integral torque sensor. The motor has an output shaft rotatable about a second axis. The second axis is substantially parallel to the first axis. The drive mechanism is disposed between and drivingly connects the motor and the steering column. The drive mechanism provides a speed reduction from the motor to the actuator shaft. The drive housing encloses the torque sensor and the drive mechanism and is separate from a steering gear. The drive housing also has a mounting feature to which a housing of the motor is fixed. The drive housing also has a first bearing and a second bearing rotatably supporting the actuator shaft in the drive housing.

Abstract: An adaptive fusing electrical circuit (circuit) including a power supply and an electrical load drawing an electrical current therethrough. The circuit includes a current detector that measures a current level through the circuit. An interruption switch, which is normally closed, is electrically coupled to the electrical load and the current detector having an open state and a closed state. A controller is coupled to the power supply, the current detector, and the switch, the controller monitors the current level and a first circuit parameter of the electrical circuit. The controller interrupts the electrical current by switching the interruption switch from the closed state to the open state when the current level and the first circuit parameter are outside corresponding guard bands.