Abstract: Provided is an electronic apparatus that acquires an ambient temperature of the electronic apparatus and operates a cooling device to cool a component that generates heat during an operation. When the ambient temperature is lower than a predetermined reference temperature, the electronic apparatus exercises control to increase an output of the cooling device to a value higher than that obtained when the ambient temperature is equal to or higher than the reference temperature.

Abstract: Not only cooling performance for an integrated circuit such as a CPU but also cooling performance for a power supply unit is improved. An electronic apparatus (1) includes a first heat sink (71) and a power supply unit (60) including a power supply unit case (61) having an intake air wall (61a) in which a plurality of air intake holes (61b) are formed. The intake air wall (61b) is located in front of the first heat sink (71). The intake air wall (61b) has an external surface being inclined with respect to both a front-rear direction and a left-right direction and facing the first heat sink (71). A cooling fan (5) is disposed to feed air toward the intake air wall (61a).

Abstract: In a structure using a metal having fluidity as a thermally conductive material, the thermally conductive material is prevented from entering an unintended region even in a case where a change in attitude of a semiconductor device or vibration occurs. An electronic apparatus has a thermally conductive material (31) formed between a radiator (50) and a semiconductor chip (11). The thermally conductive material (31) has fluidity at least at a time of operation of the semiconductor chip (11). In addition, the thermally conductive material (31) has electric conductivity. The thermally conductive material (31) is surrounded by a seal member (33). A capacitor (16) is covered by an insulating portion (15).

Abstract: A motor-driven power steering system for a vehicle and a method for controlling the same in which the assisting torque of a motor is transmitted through a clutch toward steerable road wheels of the vehicle for power assisting the steering motion imparted to a steering wheel by an operator. It is possible to precisely judge whether there exists a failure in the operation of the motor and/or the clutch before the clutch is connected. To this end, a certain characteristic value of the motor under no load condition is measured with the clutch disconnected, and then compared with a preset comparison value such as a reference motor current to determine whether the motor is mechanically restricted. If not, the clutch is connected. If so, the clutch is kept not connected so that an appropriate failsafe operation can be performed.

Abstract: A control device for an alternating current generator of a vehicle, having a storage battery which is charged by a rectified output of the generator, a field current detecting resistance (304) having a positive temperature coefficient, a voltage divider (305, 306) for setting a reference voltage, and a comparator (307) for comparing the potential drop across the current detecting resistance with the reference voltage to thereby control the field current duty cycle. The voltage divider includes a compensating resistor (319) to change the reference voltage in accordance with temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an AC generator in a vehicle, the AC generator including an exciting coil and driven by an engine to generate an AC output which is rectified and fed to a battery, includes a pilot-lamp switching transistor device constituted by a Darlington-connection of transistors, the pilot-lamp switching transistor device having a base and a collector for turning a pilot lamp on/off, the pilot lamp being fed with a current from the battery through a key switch, a resistor connected between the base and the collector of the pilot-lamp switching transistor, an initial exciting transistor for controlling a current for the initial excitation of the exciting coil by the battery, a voltage detection circuit for detecting a voltage of the battery, and a voltage detection circuit switching transistor for controlling a switching operation of the voltage detection circuit.

Abstract: A motor driven power steering apparatus comprising an electric motor for assisting steering, a torque sensor for detecting steering torque, a detecting means for detecting vehicle speed or rotation speed of an engine, a resistance for limiting electric current to be supplied to an electric motor, and a relay being connected in parallel to the resistance, opens the relay when the vehicle is running at a high speed, that is, the vehicle speed or rotation speed is larger than a predetermined value thereof, limits current to be supplied to the electric motor by the resistance, makes torque generated by the electric motor smaller in the case where anything unusual is created in the apparatus at a high speed running, and makes it easier for a driver to correct the steering operation or to avoid a danger.

Abstract: A motor-driven type front and rear wheel steering apparatus which comprises a steering sensor to detect at least one of a steering torque and a steering angle, a motor-driven type power-assisted steering unit to assist the steering of the front wheels in response to a signal from the steering sensor, a motor-driven type rear wheel steering unit to drive the steering of the rear wheels in response to at least one signal of a signal indicating the steering torque and a signal indicating the steering angle which are generated from the steering sensor, and a control unit which receives a plurality of signals from each of the steering sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a motor turning angle speed sensor and a rear wheel steering angle sensor to control the motor-driven type power-assisted steering unit and the motor-driven type rear wheel steering unit, wherein the control unit actuates only the motor-driven type power-assisted steering unit when the automobile stops or runs at a low speed, and actuates either one be

Abstract: The power steering system of this invention has a motor which provides auxiliary torque for the steering shaft to assist in steering.The maximum level of the motor current is varied in response to the mean motor current at predetermined intervals of time so as to regulate the maximum motor current and thereby prevent overheating or burning of the motor when, for example, the steering wheel is held for a long time in an extreme position.

Abstract: A motorized power steering apparatus is equipped with a torque sensor including a primary potentiometer for detecting a steering torque applied to the steering wheel by a driver. The torque sensor further includes an auxiliary potentiometer so as to detect variations in the output voltage of a constant voltage power supply to the potentiometers. When there is a difference between the outputs of the primary and auxiliary potentiometers which is greater than a prescribed level, a fail-safe relay is turned off to nullify the power steering operation of a motor. When the output voltage of the power supply for supplying a constant voltage to the primary and auxiliary potentiometers drops below or rises above a predetermined level, the output voltage of the auxiliary potentiometer, which is not used for power steering control, is raised.

Abstract: An electric power steering device is disclosed which comprises a fail-safe relay. The circuitry for operating the relay comprises the following: the neutral region detector circuit which generates an output when the steering torque applied by the operator is in the neutral region; a motor current detector circuit for detecting the motor current; an AND gate having inputs coupled to the above two circuits; a self-hold circuit for holding the output of the AND gate; and a relay interrupting circuit for interrupting the relay in response to the output of the self-hold circuit. Thus, the fail-safe relay is interrupted to disconnect the battery from the motor and clutch when the motor is energized in spite of the fact that the steering torque by the operator of the vehicle is in the neutral region.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus for power steering the steerable wheels of a vehicle is disclosed which includes a steering column having one end connected with a steering wheel and the other end operatively connected with the steerable wheels; a cylindrical housing surrounding the steering column and providing a space therebetween; a torque sensor disposed in the housing for detecting a steering torque exerted on the steering wheel by a driver; a conductor or lead line wound around the steering column and accommodated in the housing, the lead line having one end electrically connected to the torque sensor and the other end to terminals which are disposed outside the steering column; and a motor installed on the housing and operatively connected with the steering column for power assisting the steering effort exerted on the steering wheel by the driver, the motor being driven to run in accordance with the steering torque detected by the torque sensor.

Abstract: A motorized power steering apparatus for a vehicle has a torque sensor which generates an output voltage proportional to a steering torque exerted by the driver of the vehicle. A motor controller controls the output torque of a motor which generates an auxiliary steering force corresponding to the output voltage of the torque sensor. A current limiter limits the motor current to a value which decreases as the engine rotational speed or the vehicle speed increases.

Abstract: A motorized power steering apparatus for a vehicle has a torque sensor which generates an output voltage corresponding to a steering torque exerted by the driver of the vehicle. A motor controller controls the output torque of a drive motor which generates an auxiliary steering force corresponding to the output voltage of the torque sensor. The motor controller is a self-excited pulse width modulation circuit with feedback from the motor which supplies the motor with drive pulses having a pulse width modulated by the output voltage of the torque sensor.

Abstract: A motorized power steering apparatus for a vehicle has a torque sensor which generates an output voltage proportional to a steering torque exerted by the driver of the vehicle and a supply voltage. A motor controller controls the output torque of a drive motor which generates an auxiliary steering force corresponding to the output voltage of the torque sensor. The supply voltage for the torque sensor is decreased as the vehicle speed increases, so that the output torque of the motor for a given steering torque decreases as the vehicle speed increases.

Abstract: A motorized power steering apparatus for a vehicle has a torque sensor including a right turn potentiometer and a left turn potentiometer which generate output voltages corresponding to the steering torque during a right turn or a left turn, respectively. A motor controller controls the output torque of a drive motor which generates an auxiliary steering force corresponding to the output voltage of one of the potentiometers. A logic circuit prevents current from being supplied to the motor when both of the potentiometers generate an output voltage at the same time.

Abstract: A unitized electric power steering apparatus has a main housing which contains a speed reducer and a torque sensor. An electric motor which drives the speed reducer and a motor controller which controls the electric motor are mounted on the outside of the main housing to protect them from thermal damage.

Abstract: A motorized power steering apparatus for a vehicle has a torque sensor which generates an output voltage proportional to a steering torque exerted by the driver of the vehicle. A motor controller controls the output torque of a drive motor which generates an auxiliary steering force corresponding to the output voltage of the torque sensor. A current limiter limits the motor current to a value which decreases as the temperature of the motor or the temperatures of power switching elements in the motor controller increases.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus for an automotive vehicle has an interrupter which cuts off the power to a drive motor when a dangerous situation is detected. In one form of the invention, the interrupter cuts off power to the drive motor when a ground fault sensor detects a ground fault of a motor driver and there is disagreement between a directional drive signal to the drive motor and the direction of torque applied to the steering wheel by the driver. In another form of the invention, the interrupter circuit cuts off power when the vehicle speed exceeds a prescribed level and the torque applied to the steering wheel exceeds a prescribed level for a certain length of time. In a third form of the invention, the interrupter cuts off power when the motor current exceeds a prescribed level and disagreement of directional signals is detected.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus includes a motor 5 connected through a clutch 6 and a worm gear mechanism 50,51 with a steering column 12. A multi-lead strap 46 is wound around the steering column within a first cylindrical housing 23 for electrically connecting a torque sensor 4 to terminals disposed outside the steering column. The worm gear mechanism includes a worm wheel 50 fitted on the steering column in the first housing, and a worm shaft 51 in mesh with the worm wheel and disposed in a second cylindrical housing 54 adjacent the first housing. The second housing has one end closed and the other end open. The worm shaft is rotatably supported at one end by a first bearing 52 press fitted in the closed end of the second housing and at its other end, which is connected with the clutch, by a second bearing 53 fixedly mounted thereon, such that the worm shaft can be axially removed from the second housing through its open end.