| 摘要 |
An electric power steering apparatus for assisting the steering force of a steering member by an electric motor ( 18 ) driven by a driving circuit ( 13 ) connected to a power supply (P) by power connecting means ( 15 a). The electric power steering apparatus comprising: means ( 12 ) for detecting a short-circuit failure on the driving circuit ( 13 ) and on a wiring connecting the driving circuit ( 13 ) and the electric motor ( 18 ); power off means ( 15 ) for turning off the power connecting means ( 15 a) when a short circuit failure is detected; current detecting means ( 17 ) for detecting the value of a current flowing between the electric motor ( 18 ) and the driving circuit ( 13 ) after the power off means ( 15 ) turns off the power connecting means ( 15 a); and current cutting means (Fa, Fb) for, when the current detecting means ( 17 ) detects a current value exceeding a predetermined value, irreversibly cutting off the current whose current value exceeds the predetermined. With such a configuration, it is possible to realize an electric power steering apparatus that has simple structures to enable a reduction in the cost of parts, and prevents the force required for steering from becoming too large at occurring of a short-circuit failure.
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