Abstract: A steer-by-wire system for a vehicle that provides synchronization capability to an actuator of a steerable device and an actuator of a steering input device includes a steering input device actuator operably connected to the steering input device of the vehicle and a steerable device actuator operably connected to the steerable device of the vehicle. The steerable device actuator is disposed in electronic communication with the steering input device actuator. The electronic communication is defined such that synchronous positioning of the steering input device actuator and the steerable device actuator can be effectuated by the system upon startup of the vehicle. A method of using the system includes initiating operation of the system by turning on an ignition switch of the vehicle and evaluating an initial condition of the vehicle. The initial condition is associated to the positions of the steering input device actuator and the steerable device actuator.

Abstract: The terminal voltages of respective phase coils of a steering shaft driving motor constituted by a three-phase brushless motor are separately detected. When the terminal voltages detected at at least three different conducting terminals u, v, and w are made Vu, Vv, and Vw, respectively, and the values when those detected values Vu, Vv, and Vw are arranged in order from largest to smallest voltage are made V1, V2, and V3, respectively, provided that V1?V2?V3, a calculation is performed to determine if V1+V3 coincides with 2*V2 within a predetermined allowable range, and a failure is determined based on results obtained from such a calculation.

Abstract: A fail-safe torque transducer, and automotive power steering system, utilizing a two-stage series coupled torsion bar system. A first stage torsion bar provides tuning of the steering system, and by reducing its diameter relative to the second stage, provides a lower torsional spring rate and higher operational stress level than that of the second stage. The second stage torsion bar provides the stress/strain indicia referenced by a torque-measuring device, and is stressed at a lower level than the first stage and therefore has a higher cycle life than that of the first stage bar. Hence, if stress related failure ever occurs, it will only occur in the first stage torsion bar, thereby preventing any torque from reaching the second stage, thereby causing a zero strain signal and thus rendering the system fail-safe and not subject to instability of vehicle steering if the torsion bar breaks.

Abstract: A Steering system for a motor vehicle is provided. The system is provided with a principal steering actuator for applying a driving force to a steering mechanism; an auxiliary steering actuator capable of applying a driving force to the steering mechanism; a counter force actuator for applying a counter force to an operation member; a principal steering control section; an auxiliary steering control section; a counter force control section; first and second vehicle condition sensors; and a main controller for comprehensively controlling the control sections. An output signal of the first vehicle condition sensor is inputted to the main controller through a first vehicle condition signal line; and an output signal of the second vehicle condition sensor is inputted, through a second vehicle condition signal line, to at least one of the control sections.

Abstract: An electric power steering device capable of attaining the expected control and control characteristics while using a phase compensator, includes a target current setting unit including a compensation unit having an inertia compensating unit for outputting an inertial compensating current value and a damper control unit for outputting a damper control current value, a compensation unit for outputting a compensation current value, a basic assist current setting unit for outputting a basic assist current value, and a phase compensating unit connected with the downstream stage of the basic assist current setting unit for outputting a target current value by performing a phase compensation of an added current value while receiving no influence from the dead zone or the characteristic break points of an assist table for setting the basic assist current value.

Abstract: A device for controlling a steer-by-wire steering system in a vehicle, in which redundantly generated sensor signals for regulating a steering motor and for a feedback actuator that transfers the restoring torques from the road to the driver via the steering wheel are received by a control device and plausibility checks of the sensor signals are performed therein and in an operatively associated monitoring module. Microcomputer module and monitoring module monitor each other reciprocally. An auxiliary level for the SbW steering system is monitored by the control device which, in the case of error, switches to this auxiliary level or a mechanical auxiliary level. To further increase safety, the steering wheel motor is triggered via control signals for its phase currents and by a steering wheel motor enable signal, and the steering motor is triggered via control signals for its phase currents and via a steering motor enable signal.

Abstract: An electrically-powered steering apparatus capable of detecting abnormality in a first angle detector and a second angle detector includes a steering shaft 12 and a pinion shaft 13 connected to each other through a torsion bar 14. If a differential (|?1??2|) between the steering detection angle ?1 and the steering detection angle ?2 is equal to or over a predetermined value ?0 for a predetermined time, it is detected that abnormality occurs in the angle sensor 15 or the angle sensor 16.

Abstract: Control method for an electric power steering apparatus feeds back a motor current, flowing through a motor whose operation is controlled in accordance with a target motor current, so that the driving of the motor is controlled with the fed-back motor current. Peak value of the motor current is detected, and, for feedback control based on the detected peak value, the detected peak value is corrected to decrease. The thus-corrected peak value is fed back to control the motor current to conform to a target motor current value.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus for applying an assisting steering force to a steering mechanism of a vehicle by driving an electric motor according to a steering operation includes: an electric current command value calculation unit which calculates an electric current command value; a drive control unit which controls the drive of the electric motor based on the electric current command value; and a convergence control unit which determines a damping compensation value so that a quantity of steering operation is converged to a neutral point. The convergence control unit includes: a compensation electric current setting unit determines a basic damping compensation electric current value corresponding to the correction value of the target value, and a compensation electric current adjusting unit which adjusts the basic damping compensation electric current value based on the steering torque and the quantity of the steering operation, thereby calculating the damping compensation value.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method of model-based fault detection for a vehicle steer-by-wire system. The method includes providing a steer-by-wire fault detection unit to implement fault detection for the fault occurrence in sensors, actuators, and the controlled plant. The steer-by-wire fault detection unit is composed of a residual generator and decision-making unit. The residual generator generates a series of residual signal which are difference between the estimation signals based on a steer-by-wire controlled plant mathematical model and the actual measurement signals of steer-by-wire controlled plant. The decision making unit determines whether any faults have occurred by applying a fault test rule for residual signals.

Abstract: A method for monitoring motor vehicle systems that include mechanical components and at least one control device detects, in a first step, input signals and output signals as quantitative signals that characterize the operating behavior, assigns discrete qualitative values to value intervals of the input signals and output signals, which are established using a particular sequence of threshold values. A change to one of the qualitative values is recognized as an event, and consecutive events are stored as an event sequence. The event sequence is compared with a model of the normal behavior of the motor vehicle system, in particular a model composed of all event sequences of the proper operation of the motor vehicle system. If there is a match, it is assumed that the motor vehicle system is operating properly. If there is no match, erroneous operation is assumed.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle having a pre-selected function, and including a controller which controls an object and includes a plurality of redundant elements which are redundant with each other, and a function restraining portion which partially or fully restrains the function of the vehicle, when a pre-selected failure which has occurred to one of the redundant elements has not solved before another of the redundant elements has operated for more than a pre-set time since the occurrence of the failure.

Abstract: A method for implementing directional control of a motor vehicle is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes determining whether a failure of a primary steering system of the motor vehicle exists. If a failure of the primary steering system exists, then a yaw moment is created on the vehicle by causing a differential longitudinal force to be applied with respect to a first wheel on one side of the vehicle and a second wheel on an opposite side of the vehicle, thereby causing the vehicle to turn in a commanded direction.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method of controlling a variable steering ratio of a vehicle steer-by-wire system. The variable steering ratio control varies the steering ratio continuously according to steering angle and vehicle speed. The method comprises sensing an actual steering wheel angle and an actual speed of the vehicle and converting the actual steering wheel angle and vehicle speed into values in fuzzy sets based on a steering wheel angle and vehicle speed membership functions with linguistic term labels. The method further includes determining a corresponding degree of membership of the steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. The method further includes inferring a fuzzy road wheel reference angle output value by determining the degree of membership function for the road wheel reference angle using fuzzy rules based on the degrees of steering angle and the vehicle speed. The method further includes converting a fuzzy road wheel angle into an actual road wheel angle.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a motor control device capable of optimizing by actively controlling dead time even if FET characteristics change due to changes over time or the like. In a motor control device 20, a motor drive device 24 is disposed for U-, V-, and W-phases. High-stage FETs 81U, 81V, 81W and low-stage FETs 82U, 82V, 82W are disposed in series and are turned on in an exclusive manner. Connection points 83U, 83V, 83W are disposed therebetween and send drive currents to the phases of a brushless DC motor 6. Shunt resistors RU, RV, RW are inserted in the circuit to detect current for each of the phases. Through-current is monitored to optimize dead time and perform efficient and responsive motor control. The CPU 21 monitors current values detected during dead time. If an irregularity is detected, the dead time is increased to prevent through-current.

Abstract: A steering apparatus controller for an electric power steering apparatus, which includes an electric motor for generating assist torque for assisting steering of a steering wheel and the steering apparatus controller is designed to execute a feedback control of the applied drive voltage to the electric motor based on the detection result of the actual current that flows through the motor. A sensor detects the actual current to produce the detection result. When detecting an abnormal decrease of the drive voltage of the sensor, a voltage controller maintains the applied voltage to the electric motor at the voltage at a predetermined time before the drive voltage abnormally decreased.

Abstract: A safety system for a vehicle power sliding door for restricting the operation of a sliding door via an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) when a window glass mounted at the sliding door is opened to a certain degree. The ECU receives an electric signal from a switch means once the window glass is opened to a certain degree, thus effectively reducing injury to a passenger.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for use in a control system, such as a steering control system, for validating quadrature signals. A system makes a determination of validity based on the timing of detected state changes in the quadrature signals. To accomplish this, the amount of time that elapses between successive transitions is compared to the amount of time that elapses in an adjacent time period. If the two time periods are close enough, the signals are considered valid.

Abstract: An electric power assisted steering system (10) for a vehicle comprises a steering gear (12) having a rack bar (26) and a housing (24). The rack bar (26) is movable linearly relative to the housing (24) for turning steerable wheels (34 and 36) of the vehicle. An electric motor (14) is coupled with the rack bar (26) of the steering gear (12). Energization of the electric motor (14) causes linear movement of the rack bar (26) relative to the housing (24). At least one vehicle condition sensor senses a vehicle condition and generates a signal indicative of the vehicle condition. A motor current sensor (22) senses an actual current of the electric motor (14) and generates a signal indicative of the actual motor current. A single integrated circuit (16) includes a main processor (64) and a monitoring processor (66). The main processor (64) controls the actual motor current delivered to the electric motor (14). The monitoring processor (66) determines if the main processor (64) is properly functioning.

Abstract: An electric power steering system includes a motor and a soft-disable controller in signal communication with the motor for reducing the abruptly increased reaction torque felt by a driver when an assist torque is abruptly disabled.

Abstract: A method for conforming an input signal to fault requirements comprising: receiving an input signal; dividing the input signal into a low frequency component and a high frequency component; limiting the low frequency component to a maximum value, to create a limited signal; and combining the limited signal and the high frequency component, to create a limited command signal. A system for conforming an input signal to fault requirements comprising: an input signal in operable communication with a low pass filter. The input signal is also in operable communication with one of: a high pass filter and a first summing device in operable communication with said low pass filter. The system also includes a maximum value limiting device in operable communication with the low pass filter. A second summing device is in operable communication with the maximum value limiting device and one of, the high pass filter and the first summing device.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method of re-configurable control for a vehicle steer-by-wire system. A steer-by-wire control system includes a steering wheel control system and a road wheel control system for a vehicle. Each control system is provided with a respective controlled plant and a re-configurable controller. The controllers receive output measurement signals from the respective controlled plants and produce control command signals for the controlled plants for re-configurable control of the steer-by-wire system. An adaptive re-configurable control is provided with fault detection and isolation, fault decision, parameter identification for the steer-by-wire controlled plant, and the re-configurable controllers with automatic adjustable structure and/or parameters. The re-configurable controllers automatically adjust their structure and parameters to maintain stability and certain performance requirements despite faults that occur in the steer-by-wire system.

Abstract: In en electric power steering apparatus, a motor controller unit controls PWM driving of a brushless motor for imparting a steering torque assist, on the basis of output signals of at least a steering torque detector section, motor current detector section and rotational angle detector section that includes a resolver. Either one of a predetermined frequency of the PWM driving and predetermined exciting frequency of the resolver is set to be an integral multiple of the other of the predetermined PWM driving frequency and the predetermined exciting frequency.

Abstract: A diagnostic method and system for determining an operational status of a multiple-link steering system for steering an object attached thereto. The system includes a position determination system for obtaining positional signals related to a steering system, and a data processing system to calculate positional parameters of the steering system based on the positional signals. The data processing system includes a data processor for processing data and a data storage device for storing data. The data storage device bears instructions upon execution by the data processor causing the data processing system to receive a first, second and third positional signal of the steering system when the object being steered to a first, second and third steering angle respectively.

Abstract: A steering angle ratio control system is provided which includes a steering angle ratio varying mechanism capable of varying a steering angle ratio by an electric drive unit, and a controller for controlling the steering angle ratio varying mechanism based on a steering angle ratio determined by a steering angle ratio determining section. The controller includes an electric drive unit overheat protecting section that determines, when the temperature of the electric drive unit rises beyond a predetermined temperature, a smaller steering angle ratio as compared with a steering angle ratio determined thereby when the temperature of the electric drive unit is lower than the predetermined temperature. A steering angle ratio control method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of error detection of a microprocessor in a control unit of an automotive vehicle, wherein a control unit can send and receive data by way of a data bus, wherein the output of the microprocessor is monitored by a watchdog circuit, wherein the watchdog circuit compares the signals output by the microprocessor with predetermined signal patterns, and an error is detected when the signals output by the microprocessor are not concurrent with one of the predetermined signal patterns.

Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus controller that enables a sub-computer having a capacity lower than that of a main computer to recognize computation results in the same control cycle as the main computer. A main computer of the controller computes an auxiliary torque command value of a steering motor based on the torque of a steering wheel and the velocity of the vehicle in a main control routine. A sub-computer of the controller computes a value equivalent to the command value based on the torque and the vehicle velocity in each cycle of a sub-control routine, which is longer than that of the main control routine. The sub-computer includes a first comparison circuit for comparing the command value and the torque in each cycle of the main control routine and a second comparison circuit for comparing the command value and the equivalent value in each cycle of the sub-control routine.

Abstract: A method for validating a signal indicative of a speed of a vehicle includes receiving a plurality of signals indicative of vehicle speed; correlating at least a first of the received signals with at least a second of the received signals to determine if either signal is invalid; and signaling a rejection of any signal found to be invalid.

Abstract: An electrical steering system for a vehicle includes an electrically supplied steering motor arrangement which is connected with an inverter arrangement, whose output voltage is influenced by a computer arrangement, and a sensor arrangement. To reduce the cost of the steering system while also allowing the steering system to be steerable during braking in the case of a fault, the steering motor arrangement has a redundant steering motor which is connected with the computer arrangement via two separately run control circuits. The control circuits have separate electric supplies and the computer arrangement is redundant.

Abstract: Whether a driver is driving intentionally is determined rapidly and accurately when steering control is performed such that a vehicle travels along recognized travel partitioning lines. A torque value deviation absolute value is calculated using the absolute value of a difference between the torque value from the previous processing and the torque value from the current processing, and is stored in a ring buffer. A torque value deviation sum value is calculated by adding all the torque value deviation absolute values stored in the ring buffer, and when a state in which the torque value deviation sum value is equal to or less than a predetermined driving intention determination threshold continues for a predetermined first threshold time (for example, several seconds; e.g. 5 seconds) or longer, it is determined that there is a decrease in the driving intention.

Abstract: The present invention is an electric power steering apparatus which includes a multi-phase motor that assists steering effort of a driver, a motor drive circuit provided with at least an upper switching element that connects or disconnects the winding of each phase of the multi-phase motor and a power supply, and a lower switching element that connects or disconnects the winding of each phase of the multi-phase motor and grounding, a logic circuit that determines ON/OFF of the upper switching element and the lower switching element, and first and second microcontrollers that control the motor drive circuit via this logic circuit, in which the logic circuit determines ON/OFF of the upper switching element and the lower switching element so that the power to the winding of the each phase of the multi-phase motor is stopped according to the instruction of either the first microcontroller or the second microcontroller.

Abstract: A rear wheel steering angle control apparatus is provided with a rear wheel steering angle determining unit and a rear wheel steering mechanism so as to determine a steering angle ratio based upon vehicle speed and perform a rear wheel steering angle control. An alerting unit alerts that the output of the rear wheel steering mechanism is beyond a predetermined allowable range when an observing unit detects a control condition being abnormal and releases the alert when the output of the rear wheel steering mechanism is within the predetermined allowable range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for monitoring the wheels (R1, R2, R3, R4) of a motor vehicle (10) for fault states, in particular for incorrect tire pressures, each wheel (R1, R2, R3, R4) to be monitored being assigned a wheel unit (E1, E2, E3, E4) which, after the reception of a trigger signal (TR), supplies data (D1, D2, D3, D4) which is suitable for detecting a fault state and/or for determining the wheel position (FL, FR, RL, RR) of at least one wheel (R1, R2, R3, R4). There is provision for a portable transmitter (12) which can be included with which a trigger signal (TR), in particular a radio-frequency trigger signal, can be generated for at least one wheel unit (E1, E2, E3, E4).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of generating a fault tolerant sensor signal for a motor control system in a vehicle steering system. The method includes receiving at least three sensor signals indicative of a sensed parameter and generating a plurality of parameter pair signals responsive to the least one sensor signal of the at least three sensor signals. Additionally, the method includes selecting one parameter pair signal of the plurality of parameter pair signals and generating a measured parameter signal responsive to the selecting.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for use in a control system, such as a steering control system, for validating quadrature signals. A system makes a determination of validity based on the timing of detected state changes in the quadrature signals. To accomplish this, the amount of time that elapses between successive transitions is compared to the amount of time that elapses in an adjacent time period. If the two time periods are close enough, the signals are considered valid.

Abstract: An electric power steering control system is arranged so as to control a drive current of a brushless motor that generates a steering assist force on the basis of a steering torque acting on a steering shaft and a vehicle speed.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method of implementing a fault detection and management system for road wheel position sensor faults of a vehicle steer-by-wire system. The method comprises providing primary and secondary road wheel position sensors configured to generate road wheel angle signals indicative of a road wheel angle to a microprocessor. The primary road wheel sensor is in an active control mode and the secondary road wheel sensor is in a stand-by control mode within the steer-by-wire system. The method further includes receiving road wheel angle signals from the primary and secondary sensors, and detecting a fault based on the road wheel angle signals from the primary and secondary sensors. The method further includes calculating an estimated road wheel angle based on a vehicle variable and comparing the primary sensor signal with the estimated road wheel angle.

Abstract: A method for conforming an input signal to fault requirements comprising: receiving an input signal; dividing the input signal into a low frequency component and a high frequency component; limiting the low frequency component to a maximum value, to create a limited signal; and combining the limited signal and the high frequency component, to create a limited command signal. A system for conforming an input signal to fault requirements comprising: an input signal in operable communication with a low pass filter. The input signal is also in operable communication with one of: a high pass filter and a first summing device in operable communication with said low pass filter. The system also includes a maximum value limiting device in operable communication with the low pass filter. A second summing device is in operable communication with the maximum value limiting device and one of, the high pass filter and the first summing device.

Abstract: In an abnormality detecting device for a position detecting device which generates an amplitude-modulated or phase-modulated signal from a position sensor according to the rotational position of the rotor of a motor when a reference signal having a predetermined periodic waveform is supplied, there are provided a bias current applying unit made of a passage including a resistance of applying DC bias current to an output winding of the position sensor, positional abnormality detecting units for detecting a biased DC signal of an amplitude-modulated or phase-modulated signal applied to the output winding apart from a position detector circuit for detecting the rotational position of the rotor, and an abnormality detection judgment processing part for judging abnormality of the position detecting device from a DC signal detected by the positional abnormality detecting units.

Abstract: Vehicular dynamic controlling apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle which can achieve a desired yaw rate output in response to a steering input by a vehicular driver even when the controlled vehicle is running in such a cornering limit range such that a vehicular lateral acceleration is relatively large without giving a steering maneuver different from that the vehicular driver desires to the vehicular driver.

Abstract: An electric power steering device enabled to surely detect a fault of its motor current detector circuit by avoiding the disturbance by an electrically insulated oxide film formed on the contact surface between the commutator and the brush of the motor. An ignition key is turned on, then the motor applied voltage is increased with time to break the oxide film so that the motor current flows normally. The estimated motor current is then compared with the detected motor current. When the absolute value of the difference between those estimated motor current and detected motor currents is over a predetermined limit value, it is determined that the motor current detection circuit is defective. It is also possible to break the oxide film by integrating each difference between the motor current command value and the detected motor current value, thereby increasing the current control value step by step and increase voltage applied to the motor.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus 1 comprises an electric motor 8, a vehicle speed detecting section (vehicle speed sensor) VS, a shifting state detecting section for detecting a shifting state of the vehicle, an engine rotational speed detecting section (engine rotational speed sensor) ES, and a motor control section (controller) 12 for controlling drive of the electric motor 8. The motor control section 12 includes a failure determination section (vehicle speed sensor failure determination section) 21 for determining failure of the vehicle speed detecting section on the basis of a vehicle speed, a shifting state and an engine rotational speed. The failure determination section 21 determines that the vehicle speed detecting section VS malfunctions if the engine rotational speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined rotational speed for a determinative continuous-time and/or a first determinative integrated time while the vehicle speed is zero and the shifting state is a vehicle driving state.

Abstract: A vehicle co-operative control system is provided which suppresses the torque steer phenomenon by co-operatively controlling a driving force and/or braking force distribution device and an electric power steering device without changing the control device of the electric power steering device for a vehicle having a specification in which the co-operative control is not carried out or with the introduction of only a minimal change. The control device can also be applied to a vehicle having a specification in which the co-operative control is carried out.

Abstract: A steering apparatus controller for an electric power steering apparatus, which includes an electric motor for generating assist torque for assisting steering of a steering wheel and the steering apparatus controller is designed to execute a feedback control of the applied drive voltage to the electric motor based on the detection result of the actual current that flows through the motor. A sensor detects the actual current to produce the detection result. When detecting an abnormal decrease of the drive voltage of the sensor, a voltage controller maintains the applied voltage to the electric motor at the voltage at a predetermined time before the drive voltage abnormally decreased.

Abstract: A system and method for digital steering sensor fault detection comprises monitoring steering wheel position information from a digital steering wheel position sensor at set time intervals, determining steering wheel position information for the current time interval and the previous time interval, and advancing a value change counter if the steering wheel position information for the current time interval is the same as for the previous time interval; monitoring vehicle speed, and advancing a speed cycle counter when the vehicle speed crosses a first threshold speed after crossing a second threshold speed; and setting fault bit information if the value change counter is zero after the speed cycle counter reaches a speed cycle limit. The steering wheel position information can be for a plurality of digital steering wheel position sensor outputs and provide corresponding fault bits, which can be compared to a fault table to diagnose a particular fault.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a steering system selectively operable in one of three modes: steer-by-wire, electronic power assist steering (EPAS), and manual steering. The steer-by-wire system includes a driver interface system (DIS), a road wheel actuator system (RWAS), and a controller for monitoring and implementing the preferred control strategy. The steering system of the present invention operates normally in a steer-by-wire mode. In each of the EPAS mode and manual mode, the controller causes a clutch mechanism to engage, thus creating a mechanical linkage between the steerable member and the rack and pinion system. In the EPAS mode, one of the road wheel actuator or the reaction torque generator is available to assist in the steering operation. Alternatively, in the manual mode, both the DIS and the RWAS are deactivated and the vehicle is steerable through entirely mechanical means.

Abstract: An industrial lift truck includes a steering unit which operates in response to steering commands to operate an electric steering motor that turns a steerable wheel. The integrity of the steering unit is checked by applying alternating steering commands to the steering unit and monitoring the resulting current flow through the steering motor.

Abstract: A CCD camera or equivalent sensor is mounted on a vehicle and used to detect lane markings (usually the white or yellow painted lines) on a roadway. An electric motor coupled to a steering system is used to provide a torque input to the steering, which may either assist or oppose the steering torque from a driver. A steering controller is designed to assist the driver to maintain the vehicle lane position by holding the vehicle at a target point using a biasing torque. The controller resumes application of the biasing torque upon expiration of a predetermined period of delay time since a change from the absence of detection of lane marking to the presence of detection of lane marking after the presence of detection of lane marking that continues for a period of time less than a predetermined period of time has occurred a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period of monitoring time or the absence of detection of lane marking continues for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An abnormality detection apparatus for a position detection device is provided which is capable of performing abnormality detection accurately and inexpensively. The position detection device has a primary winding and a secondary winding, and at least one excitation signal each having a predetermined periodic waveform is supplied to the primary winding to thereby generate at least one output signal each in the form of a phase modulated signal corresponding to a rotational position of a rotating member from the secondary winding directly or after having been subjected to phase shifting and appropriate arithmetic operations. The apparatus is provided with an abnormality detection section for determining an abnormality of the position detection device when the phase modulated signal has a peak value which is outside a predetermined range.

Abstract: This invention provides an electrically-powered steering apparatus capable of not only carrying out assist control based on a steering angle but also detecting abnormality in a first angle detecting means and a second angle detecting means. In this electrically-powered steering apparatus 10, a steering shaft 12 and a pinion shaft 13 are connected to each other through a torsion bar 14 such that they can be rotated relatively to each other. The steering angle &thgr;1 of the steering shaft 12 and the steering angle &thgr;2 of the pinion shaft 13 are detected by an angle sensor 15 and an angle sensor 16 respectively, and then, an assist force to be generated by a motor M is determined by an assist torque determining means 21 based on at least one of the steering angle &thgr;1 of the steering shaft 12 and the steering angle &thgr;2 of the pinion shaft 13.