Abstract: A method and system may measure one or more vehicle steering measurements or quantities and calculate one or more expected vehicle steering measurements. The method and system may deactivate an automatic vehicle control system based on the one or more measured vehicle steering measurements and the one or more expected vehicle steering measurements. The vehicle steering measurements may include a vehicle steering angle measurement, vehicle steering torque measurement, or other vehicle dynamics measurements. The automatic vehicle control system may include an automated lane centering system, lane keeping assist, or other autonomous vehicle steering control system.

Abstract: An emergency evacuation device of a vehicle that executes an automatic vehicle stop control based on a command of a driver is disclosed. The emergency evacuation device comprises a driver's physiological condition estimation portion that estimates a driver's physiological condition; a driver's command input portion, operated by the driver, that receives a driver's command input and outputs a command of an execution of an automatic vehicle stop control in accordance with the command input; and an automatic vehicle stop control portion that executes the automatic vehicle stop control in response to the command from the driver's command input portion, wherein based on the driver's physiological condition estimated in the driver's physiological condition estimation portion, the structure of the driver's command input portion, for example, the arrangement of receptor(s) of the driver's command input portion receiving the command from the driver is changed.

Abstract: [Problem] An object of the present invention is to provide an electric power steering apparatus that realizes weight saving and downsizing of component parts by counting and controlling the number of times of end hitting and simultaneously calculating a current limit value depending on the number of times of end hitting to limit assist.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for improving a steering feeling of a driver while preventing a heavy feeling of a steering wheel or a kickback phenomenon during an eco-roll operation for improving a fuel ratio of the vehicle. The method includes determining, by a controller, an eco-roll operation condition in which a brake is disengaged, an accelerator pedal is disengaged, and a speed of the vehicle is a reference speed or higher. Furthermore, when the eco-roll operation condition is determined, the controller coverts a gear state of a transmission into a neutral gear state. The controller also controls an engine RPM to an idle RPM to start the eco-roll mode and an operation of an emergency steering system to assist steering power according to a steering input due to a driver manipulation of a steering wheel while the traveling in a neutral gear state of an eco-roll mode.

Abstract: An electric power steering system is provided. It comprises a steering assist assembly and a motor assembly that actuates the steering assist assembly. A control module that provides steering assist commands to the motor assembly, the control module including a circuit board having a first portion having circuits thereon and a second portion that includes at least one sensor circuit that receives signals from at least one sensor subsystem. A potting material coats only the first portion of the circuit board.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus and control device integrated-type electric motor includes an electric motor driving circuit constituted by a plurality of semiconductor power elements and controlling electric power supplied to an armature winding of an electric motor, a switch device for opening and closing a connection between an input terminal of the electric motor driving circuit and an external power source, and another switch device for opening and closing the armature winding, wherein at least one of both the switch devices is constituted by a semiconductor switch element, and the power elements and the semiconductor switch element are mounted on a board attached to a metallic case.

Abstract: In a vehicle steering system, when a sensor malfunction determination unit detects a malfunction of a rotation angle sensor, the sensor malfunction determination unit changes a control mode from a first control mode to a second control mode. In the second control mode, an actual rotor angle (mechanical angle) (?SM) of a steered system motor is computed on the basis of a second rotor angle (electric angle) (?SE2) estimated by a rotation angle estimation unit. Then, feedback control is executed such that the actual rotor angle (?SM) converges to a target rotor angle (?SM1*) that is obtained by superimposing a rotation maintaining command signal on a target rotor angle (?SM*) computed by a target rotor angle computation unit.

Abstract: The electric power steering apparatus has a plurality of power systems each including an inverter apparatus provided corresponding to a plurality of wiring sets of a motor thereof. The control section calculates the assist current to be supplied to the motor using a one power system failure-state map when the inverter apparatus or its corresponding wiring set of one of the power systems fails, or using a vehicle speed detection failure-state map when there is a failure in detecting the vehicle speed. The assist current limit value in the one power system failure-state map and the assist current limit value in the vehicle speed detection failure-state map are set to the same value.

Abstract: This application describes the software invented to control an electric motor system. The electric motor system is mounted on one or more aircraft main wheels or nose wheels to drive an aircraft independently on the ground without aircraft engines or tow vehicles. The software uses closed-loop control together with several other control laws to operate the drive motor or motors. Knowledge of the current operating state of the drive motor, together with knowledge of the commands given to taxi forward, taxi in reverse, or brake in reverse, is used to configure the motors to optimal operating parameters. The software architecture is described along with the pilot interface and many details of software implementation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatus for reducing steering effort in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method for installing a steering-assist system onto a vehicle having an electrically powered steering system is provided. The method includes placing a controller between a torque sensor and an electronic control unit (ECU) disposed on the vehicle, coupling a primary signal line from the torque sensor to be in electrical communication with the controller, and coupling a secondary signal line to the controller to be in electrical communication with the ECU, wherein, when movement is detected by the torque sensor, the torque sensor provides a primary signal to the controller and the controller provides a secondary signal to the ECU, the secondary signal being different than the primary signal.

Abstract: In an electric power steering system, a control signal output section outputs independent dual-system control signals to driver circuits that are disposed in connection with independent dual-system motor coils. The control signal output section gives high priority to the output of the control signal to the other system, when the occurrence of energization failure is detected in one system. When the energization failure occurring phase is only one phase and the value of the basic command exceeds the upper limit of the priority command, the control signal output section outputs the control signal to the driver circuit in the system where the energization failure has occurred in order to supply electric power in which the two phases other than the energization failure occurring phase are used as the energized phases on the bases of the complementary command that corresponds to the excess of the upper limit.

Abstract: [Problem] An object of the present invention is to provide a power state diagnosis method and a power state diagnosis apparatus that pass and increase not only a d-axis current but also a q-axis current to a current value that a steering behavior does not occur to perform a diagnosis in the vector control of a motor, and determine that a power supply degraded, that the power supply is normal and that the diagnosis is not completed without giving an uncomfortable feeling to a driver, detecting a timing that there is not a driver, and needing to comprise a plurality of actuators.

Abstract: In a control apparatus for a rotary electric machine receiving power from a DC power supply, a DC-AC converting circuit is provided with serially connected circuits each having high-potential-side and low-potential-side switching elements. When a short-circuit occurs at the switching elements, all the switching elements are turned OFF for failsafe and a path connecting the machine and the battery is opened. In such a case, a switching element belonging to part of the switching elements is turned ON, with potential at all the terminals of the rotary electric machine being the same. A location of the short-circuit occurs is identified, based on changes in current passing through the machine and being detected in response to turning ON the switching element. The changes are at least one of a reduction change in deviation of the current from a zero point and a reduction change in an absolute value of the current.

Abstract: A plurality of industrial vehicle operating parameters are observed and evaluated to monitor drivetrain(s) of the vehicle to determine whether a traction motor has become decoupled from its drivetrain, i.e., a dynamic gearbox failure. If a dynamic gearbox failure is detected, a static test is performed while the vehicle is stopped to confirm the failure. Drive capabilities of the vehicle are restricted if the dynamic gearbox failure is confirmed by the static test while full drive capabilities are enabled if not. A parking brake test is performed by applying each mechanical brake that is attached to a traction motor or a driving wheel and then individually controlling the traction motors in accordance with an operator's travel request such that each motor produces enough torque to rotate the motor if the brake its respective drive wheel is functionally degraded.

Abstract: A steering system for an autonomously driven vehicle and methods of steering the vehicle are disclosed. A main controller signals a secondary steering assembly to operate in a first phase when a power steering controller is in a first mode and a second phase to steer the vehicle when the power steering controller is in a second mode. The main controller signals a friction device to actuate to a disengaged position when the power steering controller is in the first mode and the secondary steering assembly is in the first phase, and to signal the friction device to actuate to an engaged position to secure a steering wheel in an initial position when the power steering controller is in the second mode and the secondary steering assembly is in the second phase to allow the secondary steering assembly to steer the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system includes: a steering mechanism that includes a steering member, a steering angle detecting unit and a direction detecting unit that detects a steering direction with reference to a neutral position of the steering member; a steered mechanism that includes a steered wheel and a turning actuator having a turning motor, and that is not mechanically coupled to the steering mechanism; and a control device that controls the turning motor and that, at the time of a failure of the steering angle detecting unit, controls the turning motor by determining a turning motor command value for controlling the turning motor on the basis of a detected signal from the direction detecting unit.

Abstract: An electric power assist steering motor sensor redundancy system is disclosed comprising a brushless motor selectively providing a first predetermined level of steering assistance for a vehicle. A first sensor and second sensor provide position information of the brushless motor to a motor controller. An alternative sensing system for the brushless motor may be selectively utilized to provide position information of the brushless motor to the controller when at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor fails.

Abstract: A method for implementing a transition from a functioning steering assistance system to a deactivated steering assistance system when a fault occurs, comprising the following steps: establishing the fault of the steering assistance system; establishing that all high-side power switches are functional (first case), or establishing that all low-side power switches are functional (second case); and in the first case: opening all high-side power switches and performing PWM-like control of the low-side power switches; or in the second case: opening all low-side power switches and performing PWM-like control of the high-side power switches.

Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive subject matter ensure that a hands-free driving situation of a motor vehicle can be detected. In the case of such detection of a hands-free driving situation, requirements of a driving assistance system are preferably reset with respect to steering corrections made by the driving assistance systems. In this manner, virtually independent steering of the vehicle such as, for example, and autopilot type of driving assistance functionality is therefore advantageously avoided.

Abstract: An electric power steering device which, when an abnormality occurs in one phase of a three-phase brushless motor, permits continuous driving of the motor using the remaining two phases without deteriorating the steering feeling. When a power distribution abnormality of a drive system of one phase of respective phase coils has been detected by an abnormality detection section, an abnormal-time phase current instruction value for using the remaining two phase coils is calculated based on a steering assist electric current instruction value, and an electric motor is driven based on that abnormal-time phase current instruction value. At that time, when an electrical angle falls within an acceleration region, the abnormal-time phase current instruction value is increased or decreased for correction in order to accelerate rotation of the three-phase brushless motor in a steering direction.

Abstract: A steering system includes: an operation mechanism that includes an operation member; and a steered mechanism that is not mechanically coupled to the operation mechanism and that steers a wheel on the basis of a steering operation of the operation member. The operation mechanism includes a steering angle sensor that detects a steering angle of the operation member and a steering direction detection unit that detects a steering direction of the operation member. The steering direction detection unit includes a threaded shaft that is rotatable in the steering direction of the operation member, a nut that is screwed to the threaded shaft, a nut guide that causes the nut to move in an axial direction of the threaded shaft in accordance with rotation of the threaded shaft, and a force detection sensor that detects a force that the nut guide receives from the nut.

Abstract: In a vehicle information management system, a storage includes a storage region arranged to store abnormality data that includes diagnostic data, type information indicating a type of an abnormality, and occurrence number information that indicates the number of occurrences of each abnormality specified by the type information. When the type of an abnormality is specified by an abnormality specifying unit and a new diagnostic data is produced and if the abnormality data of the same type as the specified type is already stored in the storage region in the storage, an updating unit changes the occurrence number information to the latest information and overwrites and saves the diagnostic data in the storage region already stored with the abnormality data of the same type as the specified type.

Abstract: An electric power assist steering motor sensor redundancy system is disclosed comprising a brushless motor selectively providing a first predetermined level of steering assistance for a vehicle. A first sensor and second sensor provide position information of the brushless motor to a motor controller. An alternative sensing system for the brushless motor may be selectively utilized to provide position information of the brushless motor to the controller when at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor fails.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus that is capable of obtaining a more safe and comfortable handling performance by signal processing of road information and disturbances is performed to realize easy tuning, and vibration absorption level for brake is improved by a filter and a gain unit considering a frequency characteristic and a decelerating acceleration.

Abstract: A system for preventing a steering pull in a vehicle includes: a sensor unit configured to generate at least one sensing value for at least one of a steering torque, a steering angle, a vehicle speed and a yaw rate of a vehicle; an ECU configured to determine whether or not the vehicle is in a straightforward driving state, based on a predefined straightforward driving state determination criterion by using the at least one sensing value provided from the sensor unit, determine whether or not a steering pull occurs in the vehicle, based on a predefined steering pull determination criterion when it is determined that the vehicle is in the straightforward driving state, and compensate for the steering torque of the vehicle when it is determined that the steering pull occurs in the vehicle; and a motor driving unit configured to generate steering power under the control of the ECU.

Abstract: Example embodiments disclose a drive system including a machine including a plurality of phases and configured to generate power based on a plurality of phase currents, each respectively associated with the plurality of phases and a direct current (DC) bus, operatively connected to the machine. The DC bus includes a high-side line, a low-side line, and an inverter including a plurality of switching systems, operatively connected between the high-side line and the low-side line, the plurality of switching systems, each configured to output a respective one of the plurality of phase currents. The drive system also includes a controller, operatively connected to the DC bus and the machine, the controller configured to determine if a failure exists in the drive system based on the plurality of phase currents and a DC bus voltage, the DC bus voltage being a voltage across the high-side line and the low-side line.

Abstract: An electronic control apparatus includes a control unit, a plurality of power supply units for supplying the control unit with power, and a power supply fault detector unit for detecting a fault in the plurality of power supply units. The control unit operates in a normal mode on electric power supplied from the plurality of power supply units when none of the plurality of power supply units is faulty.

Abstract: An electric power steering device includes: a fail-safe power relay (9a) and a motor relay (10a) for interrupting power supply to an electric-motor driving unit for driving an electric motor for applying an assist torque for steering performed by a driver; and a relay driving circuit (8a) including a switch (13a) connected in parallel to drive coils of the relays (9a and 10a) and a diode (16a). A target value of a relay-contact energizing current is lowered and the relays (9a and 10a) are gradually interrupted while an amount of current corresponding to a back surge generated when the relays are turned OFF is caused to flow back to the diode (16a) of the relay driving circuit (8a) in a normal relay-OFF operation, whereas the relays (9a and 10a) are quickly interrupted without operating the relay driving circuit (8a) in case of detection of an abnormality.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a steering system which does not cause the driver to feel the steering reactive force shock when the operation of the steering wheel is stopped, and which enables the driver to operate the steering wheel comfortably. In order to achieve the above object, there is provided a steering system in which a transfer ratio of a steering angle of a steering wheel to a turning angle of a turning wheel is changed by a variable transfer ratio mechanism, and an auxiliary power is generated during steering by an electric power steering, including: a transfer ratio variable motor for changing the transfer ratio, in which a steering angular velocity of the steering wheel is calculated, and when an absolute value of the steering angular velocity becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, a current value flowing through the transfer ratio variable motor is set to zero.

Abstract: In normal times, a rotation angle restriction mechanism in a first state restricts a rotation angle of a steering member within a first rotation angular range. In the event of a failure, that is, when there is a malfunction in a steering angle sensor, the rotation angle restriction mechanism is switched into a second state by an electromagnetic clutch, and the rotation angle of the steering member is restricted within a second rotation angular range. A steering direction is detected on the basis of at which one of a pair of terminal ends of the second rotation angular range, the steering member is located. An ECU executes drive control on a steering system actuator on the basis of the detected steering direction.

Abstract: A steering damper system for a saddle riding type vehicle having an MR damper includes a damping force calculating unit arranged to calculate a damping force according to a steering angle speed, and an adjusting command output unit arranged to determine a running state from a vehicle speed and a steering angle detected by sensors, with reference to a reference table, and correcting the damping force calculated according to the running state. The reference table has areas divided by a steering angle range according to vehicle speed, and damping force adjustment factors according to running states are assigned to these areas. The steering angle range dividing the areas becomes narrower with an increase in vehicle speed, to accurately reflect the running states of the vehicle. A proper damping force can be generated according to a running state of the vehicle. The steering damper system eases the rider's burden accompanying steering operations, and is excellent in controllability.

Abstract: A vehicle steering device has an electric power abnormality detection portion that detects abnormality of the source power supply capability of an electric power source device, a vehicle speed detection portion that detects the vehicle speed, and a motor control portion that controls the driving of the electric motor on the basis of the steering torque detected by the steering torque detection portion. The motor control portion enhances the output restriction of the electric motor if the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection portion declines while the abnormality of the source power supply capability of the electric power source device is detected by the electric power abnormality detection portion.

Abstract: This invention refers to an electrically assisted steering system that includes a torque sensor connected to a vehicle steering wheel. The system also includes a torque control ECU that is responsive to torque signals from the torque sensor to generate a motor assist requirement signal. The system further includes a motor control ECU responsive to the motor assist requirement signal to generate a motor control signal. The system additionally includes a steering assist motor responsive to the motor control signal to provide a steering assistance torque to the vehicle steering system. Finally, the system includes a safety domain ECU connected to at least one vehicle operational parameter sensor to generate a torque signal and send the same signal to the torque control ECU. The safety domain ECU is also being in communication with the torque control ECU and the Motor control ECU.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle motion control system that comprises a plurality of vehicle behavior control units that are controlled in a mutually coordinated manner, and is configured to operate as designed even when one of the vehicle motion control units should fail. If a RTC-ECU (61) has ceased a control action thereof owing to a failure thereof, a VSA-ECU (31) retains the last received coordination control signal from the RTC-ECU in EEPROM (37) so that the VSA-ECU (31) is enabled to continue the coordinated control according to the retained coordination control signal. At the same time, the VSA-ECU (31) transmits the coordination control signal retained in the EEPROM onto a CAN so that the transmitted coordination control signal may be used by other ECUS of other vehicle behavior control units such as an ATTS-ECU (41) and a STG-ECU (51). In this manner, the behavior of the vehicle may be optimized by the coordination control of the VSA unit and other vehicle behavior control units.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for improving a steering feeling of a driver while preventing a heavy feeling of a steering wheel or a kickback phenomenon during an eco-roll operation for improving a fuel ratio of the vehicle. The method includes determining, by a controller, an eco-roll operation condition in which a brake is disengaged, an accelerator pedal is disengaged, and a speed of the vehicle is a reference speed or higher. Furthermore, when the eco-roll operation condition is determined, the controller coverts a gear state of a transmission into a neutral gear state. The controller also controls an engine RPM to an idle RPM to start the eco-roll mode and an operation of an emergency steering system to assist steering power according to a steering input due to a driver manipulation of a steering wheel while the traveling in a neutral gear state of an eco-roll mode.

Abstract: If the main electric power source has failed, an assist control portion shifts the characteristic of an assist map in which the steering torque and the target current are connected in a relation by one step of shift in a direction of increase of the steering torque each time a steering operation that satisfies a steering operation criterion condition is performed. This allows a driver to feel a decline in the steering assist force each time of performing steering operation and therefore become aware of the abnormality. Besides, an upper-limit current of the assist map may be reduced each time the steering operation that satisfies the steering operation criterion condition is performed. Besides, an upper-limit electric power of an electric motor may be reduced each time the steering operation that satisfies the steering operation criterion condition is performed.

Abstract: A coordinate-control-gain calculation section 61 calculates a coordinate-control final control torque T_C required to properly control the traveling behavior of a vehicle, and determines a coordinate control gain Kg on the basis of the magnitude of this torque T_C. An arbitration-request determination section 62 determines the value of an arbitration request flag FRG_A on the basis of the magnitude of the torque T_C and the value of a flag FRG_L output so as to properly control the traveling behavior of a vehicle. On the basis of the value of the flag FRG_A and the magnitude of the coordinate-control arbitration torque Tr determined by use of the gain Kg, an arbitration section 63 selects the torque T_C or the torque Tr to be output as a post-arbitration control torque T_F. A post-arbitration drive control section 64 supplies to an electric motor a drive current corresponding to the determined torque T_F.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a system for detecting a reducer fault, which extracts an angle of a steering angle sensor and an angle of a motor position sensor after the initialization of the steering angle sensor and the motor position sensor, and when a difference value between two extracted angles is equal to or larger than a predetermined angle, detects a fault of a reducer for rotation connection between a steering wheel and a motor. The method and the system can accurately detect the fault of the reducer for rotation connection between the steering wheel and the motor included in the motor driven power steering system, thereby effectively preventing occurrence of an accident due to the fault of the reducer.

Abstract: A controller system in which a plurality different main functions are integrated includes a plurality of microcontrollers. Each of the microcontrollers is associated with one of the main functions. At least one monitoring unit is implemented for the plurality of the main functions, for example a brake monitor and a comfort monitor. When the at least one monitoring unit detects a defect of a main function in the controller, only the defective main function is deactivated.

Abstract: A motor drive device includes an inverter circuit, a driver circuit for outputting a PWM signal to the inverter circuit, a booster circuit for boosting a power supply voltage supplied from a power supply circuit, a fail safe circuit arranged between the inverter circuit and the motor, and a fail safe drive unit for outputting a signal for turning ON/OFF a semiconductor switching element of the fail safe circuit. A boost voltage output from the booster circuit is supplied to the driver circuit and also supplied to the fail safe drive unit. The fail safe drive unit drives the semiconductor switching element of the fail safe circuit by such boost voltage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to computer-implemented methods of diagnosing a vehicle hydraulic power steering system and steering diagnostic systems for executing the same. Some exemplary diagnostic systems are configured to detect a steering system condition based on an evaluation of a steering pump outlet pressure, an engine speed and/or a steering wheel position. The system sends a warning signal when a predetermined steering system condition is detected.

Abstract: In a vehicle including a VGRS actuator capable of changing the steering transmission ratio by rotating an upper steering shaft and a lower steering shaft relative to each other, an ECU performs a lock releasing process when the VGRS motor is locked. In the process, an actual steering angle is calculated, and is compared with a lock release threshold value that is set in advance in view of the axial force applied to the lower steering shaft during steering. If the actual steering angle is equal to or smaller than the lock release threshold value, the ECU performs driving control of a lock mechanism so as to release the locked state of the VGRS motor.

Abstract: The steering system of the invention includes a processing means (26) comprising a means for determining (30) a driving signal (S3) of the power means (25) on the basis of: a first control signal (S1) determined from the measure of a torque applied by the driver on the steering wheel by applying a gain that depends on the longitudinal speed of the vehicle; a second correction signal (S2) determined from the measure of the torque applied by the driver on the steering wheel, and a setpoint determined on the basis of at least one characteristic parameter of the lateral dynamics of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus comprises a charge-discharge circuit capable of configuring a circuit for charging an auxiliary power supply and a circuit for discharging a battery and the auxiliary power supply as well as configuring a discharge-preference circuit which enables only the discharge of the auxiliary power supply while avoiding the charge thereof. In the apparatus, a control circuit performs a power latch operation of carrying on control till the end of a predetermined period of time following an operation of turning off an ignition key, and also causes the charge-discharge circuit to configure the discharge-preference circuit thereby enabling steering assist accompanied by the discharge of the auxiliary power supply.

Abstract: The invention provides a steering system for a vehicle, a ship etc. The steering system has a steering handle for the operator of the vehicle, a set of signal processors, a sensor which determines a position of the steered element of the vehicle, and a controller which moves the steered element. The steered element could e.g. be the front wheels of a car. The signal processors are adapted to determine an error between the desired position of the steered element and an actual position of the steered element. In order to make the steering system more fault tolerant, the error signal is amplified based on the speed by which the steering handle is moved, and an error in the sensor therefore becomes less critical. The invention further provides a steering method, a steering control unit and a vehicle provided with a steering system of the mentioned kind.

Abstract: An electric power steering system includes an overheat protection current value arithmetic unit that computes an overheat protection current value to which a current flowing into a motor is limited, and an overheat protection control unit that limits the current, which flows into the motor, on the basis of the computed overheat protection current value, suppresses heat dissipation caused by the current flowing into the motor, and thus protects onboard equipment. Information relevant to the computed overheat protection current value is stored. Whether a newly computed overheat protection current value is abnormal is decided based on comparison of the newly computed overheat protection current value with the stored information relevant to the overheat protection current value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for validating a vehicle operator. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises an input device for allowing entry of vehicle operator identification information, a transceiver for transmitting a message and receiving a response to the message, an interface for allowing a processor to communication with a vehicle sub-system, and a processor connected to the input device, the transceiver, and the interface, the processor for receiving the vehicle operator identification information from the input device, for generating the message comprising the vehicle operation identification information and providing the message to the transceiver, for receiving the response from the transceiver and for controlling the vehicle sub-system, via the interface, based on the response.

Abstract: A power relay is provided in a power line, which supplies power from a power source to a motor through an inverter circuit, to shut off power supply from the power source to the inverter circuit when an abnormality arises. A microcomputer diagnoses a short-circuit failure of the power relay when a steering wheel is not steered during a normal control operation of assisting the steering operation of the steering wheel. An EPS shuts off power supply by the power relay when the steering wheel is not steered, so that the short-circuit failure of the power relay is diagnosed without affecting the assist operation for the steering wheel.

Abstract: An electric motor and a control unit are juxtaposed in a speed reduction gear box. A terminal block is provided at an outer circumference of a flange proximate to a control unit of the electric motor. Terminal block surfaces of the terminal block are provided so that a plane direction faces a direction vertical to a shaft line of the electric motor. A motor side connecting terminal is held on the terminal block surface. The unit side connecting terminals provided at a position proximate to the electric motor of the control unit are arranged so as to overlap with the motor side connecting terminal on the terminal block surface to couple by a coupling portion (fixing screw).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric vehicle and a method for controlling same, which involve monitoring the state of PRA which switches power supply so as to stably supply power or cut off the supply of power during the operation of the electric vehicle, and controlling of a plurality of switches for supplying power from a battery or cutting off the result of the switching, thus enabling the accurate control of switching and preventing an erroneous operation.