Abstract: A multiphase electric motor is disconnectable from a DC voltage source by way of a control unit. Phase windings with connection lines can each be alternately connected via a high-side and a low-side switching element to a respective pole of the DC voltage source, and the connection lines each have a device for disconnecting the phase windings from the DC voltage source upon a fault. The control unit may monitor the switching elements for short-circuit faults, switch off the switching elements when a fault occurs, determine whether the switching element causing the fault is a high-side or a low-side switching element, switch on at least a second of the high-side or correspondingly at least a second of the low-side switching elements in addition to the switching element causing the fault to brake the electric motor, switch off the switching elements after a braking period, and open the phase disconnection devices.

Abstract: A controller may have a plurality of self-diagnostic functions, each of which is configured for checking a function of an assigned hardware component of the controller. Each of the self-diagnostic functions may have at least one safety limit value, which is configured such that when the at least one safety limit value is exceeded the corresponding hardware component is switched off. Each of the self-diagnostic functions may have at least one quality limit value, the absolute value of which is smaller than an absolute value of the at least one safety limit value. The at least one quality limit value can be configured such that a quality-relevant state can be detected in the assigned hardware component when the at least one quality limit value is exceeded.

Abstract: A disclosed method can control an electric motor for an electromechanical power steering mechanism for assisting steering for a motor vehicle. The electromechanical power steering mechanism may include a steering column with an upper steering shaft linked to a lower steering shaft by a torsion bar. A torsion angle between the upper steering shaft and the lower steering shaft is configured to be measured or estimated, and an electric motor is configured to apply an assistance torque. The method may involve calculating a desired rotor position with an assist algorithm based on the torsion angle and calculating a PWM pattern by a PWM control unit such that the calculated PWM pattern adjusts a rotor of an electric motor angle such that the torsion angle is decreased.

Abstract: A multiphase electric motor is disconnectable from a DC voltage source by way of a control unit. Phase windings with connection lines can each be alternately connected via a high-side and a low-side switching element to a respective pole of the DC voltage source, and the connection lines each have a device for disconnecting the phase windings from the DC voltage source upon a fault. The control unit may monitor the switching elements for short-circuit faults, switch off the switching elements when a fault occurs, determine whether the switching element causing the fault is a high-side or a low-side switching element, switch on at least a second of the high-side or correspondingly at least a second of the low-side switching elements in addition to the switching element causing the fault to brake the electric motor, switch off the switching elements after a braking period, and open the phase disconnection devices.

Abstract: A controller may have a plurality of self-diagnostic functions, each of which is configured for checking a function of an assigned hardware component of the controller. Each of the self-diagnostic functions may have at least one safety limit value, which is configured such that when the at least one safety limit value is exceeded the corresponding hardware component is switched off. Each of the self-diagnostic functions may have at least one quality limit value, the absolute value of which is smaller than an absolute value of the at least one safety limit value. The at least one quality limit value can be configured such that a quality-relevant state can be detected in the assigned hardware component when the at least one quality limit value is exceeded.

Abstract: A disclosed method can control an electric motor for an electromechanical power steering mechanism for assisting steering for a motor vehicle. The electromechanical power steering mechanism may include a steering column with an upper steering shaft linked to a lower steering shaft by a torsion bar. A torsion angle between the upper steering shaft and the lower steering shaft is configured to be measured or estimated, and an electric motor is configured to apply an assistance torque. The method may involve calculating a desired rotor position with an assist algorithm based on the torsion angle and calculating a PWM pattern by a PWM control unit such that the calculated PWM pattern adjusts a rotor of an electric motor angle such that the torsion angle is decreased.