A method and system for checking continuity of a motor (104), motor drive, motor relay (110), dc relay (108) and interconnections (122a-c) thereof for a power steering system (204) produces minimal torque on a motor shaft (426) of the power steering system (204). The position of the motor shaft (426) is located using a sensor. Thereafter, it is determined which switches (106a-f) of an inverter circuitry (100) to switch to produce a minimal torque on the motor shaft (426). The inverter circuit (100) converts dc voltage from a power source (102) to ac voltage required by the motor (104). Thereafter, the switches (106a-f) that produce the minimal torque on the motor shaft (426) are switched and current flow is checked to determine the continuity of the circuitry. To produce minimal torque on the motor shaft (426), the complementary pair of switches (106a-f) to the first pair is then switched.

Method and system of testing continuity for a motor and associated drive circuitry

An electric power-steering device has a speed-reducing mechanism (17) for reducing the speed of an output shaft (16) of an electric motor (15). The speed-reducing mechanism (17) has an internal gear (39) engaged and rotated with the output shaft (16) and an external gear (40) with which the internal gear (39) internally meshes. A drive pulley (41) rotatable together with the external gear (40) and a driven pulley (42) provided so as to surround a steering shaft are connected by an endless belt (43). Speed reduction is obtained by the internal gear (39) and the external gear (40), and the speed-reducing mechanism (17) as a whole achieves a high reduction ratio without greatly reducing the diameter of the drive pulley (41).

Electric power-steering device

Battery pack having memory

A method for comprehensive integrated control of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine having integral fuel pump-injectors utilizing an electronic control unit (20) is disclosed. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control including fuel delivery (34), cooling fan control (38), engine speed governing and overspeed protection, engine braking, torque control, and vehicle speed diagnostics and control. Cooling fan control (38) is integrated with vehicle speed diagnostics and control as well as fuel delivery (34) to provide an integrated cruise control function which incorporates engine braking. The method also includes improved control over the various engine speed governors while improving idle quality by balancing the power delivered by each of the engine cylinders when at idle. The integrated torque control employs functions to reduce NOx emissions and noise utilizing adaptive fuel delivery timing and a split injection strategy.

Method for engine control

A diagnostic device for monitoring charging and discharging currents of a storage battery employing a current sensing resistor (shunt) adapted to be connected in series with a battery, the voltage and its polarity across the resistor being proportional to charging and discharging current through the battery and the direction of its flow. Amplifiers are employed for selectively amplifying charging and discharging currents with voltage to frequency converters providing trains of pulses responsive thereto which are compared by a microprocessor with stored programs for interpretation.

Battery monitoring system

A charge control microcomputer is provided for a vehicle charging system to control the reference voltage employed by the voltage regulator so that a suitable battery charging voltage is generated at all times. The microcomputer processes charging system data such as the battery output voltage, the generator output current, etc., and at least one engine parameter from an engine control microcomputer to derive the most suitable reference voltage for the voltage regulator.

Charge control microcomputer device for vehicle

A vehicular charging system is provided with a microcomputer for performing a diagnostic routine on the vehicle battery and charging system The battery charging condition and internal resistance are monitored to determine the service life of the battery and the state of the battery charging system The internal resistance is calculated by taking the difference between the voltage when the battery terminals are in an open circuit condition and the voltage when the battery terminals are in a closed circuit state and dividing this difference by the battery current Also included in the charge condition measurement is the measurement of the specific gravity of the battery

Vehicle battery diagnostic device

In order to perform a vehicle speed control in a motor driven type power steering control device, a speed change point detection sensor is provided and an assist is added or removed according to a speed change point signal therefrom. Therefore, a construction of an input circuit and a control program become simple and a simple control unit can be used. Further, by inputting a speed change point other than those at which the assist is added, it is possible to easily determine a breakage of an input line for speed change point, resulting in a highly safe power steering.

Motor-driven type power steering control device

A D.C. charging and starter circuit for a vehicle includes a microcomputer which monitors the state of battery switch units, a pair of charging generators and a starter switch, and operates to control various switching elements and the like to prevent accidental discharge of the batteries, and to prevent damage to either the electrical load or the generator rectifier circuits.

Microcomputer-controlled DC three-wire circuit for vehicle

An electric rear wheel steering apparatus provided with an electromagnetic clutch (12) between a motor (11) for driving rear wheels (9) and a worm reduction gear (13) having a reversion efficiency of zero or lower, and a control unit (20) adapted to cut off an electric current flowing to the motor (11) and disengage the electromagnetic clutch (12) when an abnormal operation other than a predetermined operation is ascertained. When an abnormal operation is detected, the rear wheel steering gear is fixed in the actual position by a control operation of the control unit (20), so that the rear wheels are prevented from becoming incontrollable.

Mitsuharu Morishita

Papers

Charge control microcomputer device for vehicle

Vehicle battery diagnostic device

Motor-driven type power steering control device

Microcomputer-controlled DC three-wire circuit for vehicle

Electric rear wheel steering apparatus