Abstract: A steering wheel is coupled to a steering gear via a steering shaft, an intermediate shaft, a clutch input shaft and a clutch output shaft. When viewed in a vehicle transverse direction, a tilt angle ? of the clutch input shaft relative to the horizontal plane is set to be smaller than a tilt angle ? of the intermediate shaft relative to the horizontal plane. A steering column is supported by a vehicle body via a tilt pivot for adjusting a tilt position. Even when the steering column is located at any tilt position, the relationship of ?<? is set to be maintained when viewed in the vehicle transverse direction. The center position of a universal joint between the steering shaft and the intermediate shaft is misaligned with the center position of the tilt pivot when viewed in the vehicle transverse direction.

Abstract: A vehicle steering control apparatus and vehicle steering control method make it possible to suppress a steering state of a steering operation element from being different from the driver's intention, in starting the driving source. A backup clutch, which is switchable between a release state where a torque transmission path is mechanically decoupled and an engagement state where the torque transmission path is mechanically coupled, is set to the engagement state in starting the engine. When the steering torque detected after the engine starts becomes equal to or lower than a clutch release start torque, the backup clutch in the engagement state is switched to the release state.

Abstract: A vehicle steering control apparatus and vehicle steering control method make it possible to suppress a steering state of a steering operation element from being different from the driver's intention, in starting the driving source. A backup clutch, which is switchable between a release state where a torque transmission path is mechanically decoupled and an engagement state where the torque transmission path is mechanically coupled, is set to the engagement state in starting the engine. When the steering torque detected after the engine starts becomes equal to or lower than a clutch release start torque, the backup clutch in the engagement state is switched to the release state.

Abstract: A steering wheel is coupled to a steering gear via a steering shaft, an intermediate shaft, a clutch input shaft and a clutch output shaft. When viewed in a vehicle transverse direction, a tilt angle ? of the clutch input shaft relative to the horizontal plane is set to be smaller than a tilt angle ? of the intermediate shaft relative to the horizontal plane. A steering column is supported by a vehicle body via a tilt pivot for adjusting a tilt position. Even when the steering column is located at any tilt position, the relationship of ?<? is set to be maintained when viewed in the vehicle transverse direction. The center position of a universal joint between the steering shaft and the intermediate shaft is misaligned with the center position of the tilt pivot when viewed in the vehicle transverse direction.

Abstract: In a direct current motor drive bridge circuit structured such that a pair of forward rotation switching elements and a pair of reverse rotation switching elements are alternately connected annularly, a direct-current motor is interposed between diagonal node points on one side, and a power source voltage is applied to a portion between diagonal node points on another side via an existing resistance. A fault detection apparatus of the direct-current motor drive bridge circuit is provided with a fault detection circuit for detecting an electric potential of the one node point r to which the power source voltage is applied via the existing resistance and for detecting a closed-circuit fault of the switching elements and on the basis of a fluctuation of the electric potential.

Abstract: In a direct-current motor drive bridge circuit structured such that a pair of forward rotation switching elements and a pair of reverse rotation switching elements are alternately connected annularly, a direct-current motor is interposed between diagonal node points in one side, and a power source voltage is applied to a portion between diagonal node points in another side via an existing resistance. A fault detection apparatus of the direct-current motor drive bridge circuit is provided with a fault detection means for detecting an electric potential of the one node point r to which the power source voltage is applied via the existing resistance and for detecting a closed-circuit fault of the switching elements and on the basis of a fluctuation of the electric potential.