ABNORMALITY DIAGNOSIS METHOD FOR TORQUE DETECTION DEVICE, AND ELECTRIC POWER STEERING DEVICE

摘要

Provided is an abnormality diagnosis method for a torque detection device whereby a highly reliable torque detection device is obtained. Also provided is an electric power steering device using said torque detection device. Immediately after a power supply is turned on and before starting a steering assist control, an initial diagnosis is performed to verify that each monitoring unit (monitoring block) monitoring the abnormalities of a signal processing circuit (40) constituting a torque detection device (30) functions normally. During the initial diagnosis, a normal signal and an abnormal signal are alternately inputted to the monitoring blocks, and it is determined that the monitoring blocks are functioning normally if the monitoring blocks produce a normal diagnosis when the normal signal is inputted and if the monitoring blocks produce an abnormal diagnosis when the abnormal signal is inputted. Once it is verified that all monitoring blocks function normally, the steering assist control based on the steering torque detected by means of the torque detection device (30) is started.