Patent US4686438A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4686438A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric power steering apparatus
Assignee: Jidosha Kiki Co Ltd
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Filing: 1986-03-06
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Granted: 1987-08-11
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Expires: 2006-03-06
Abstract
Abstract An electric power steering apparatus causes a bridge circuit and a driver circuit to control normal and reverse rotation operations of a motor. The bridge circuit is constituted by transistors. The driver circuit is connected to a power source and also is connected to the bridge circuit so as to drive the bridge circuit. A diode is inserted between the power source and the bridge circuit, and the polarities of the diode are set such that a voltage at the bridge circuit is lower than that at the driver circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Takeshi Ohe
- 👤 Yoshiaki Taniguchi
- 👤 Minoru Arai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:26
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D5/00; B62D5/04; B62D5/0457; B62D5/046; B62D5/0463
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
An electric power steering apparatus for causing a bridge circuit and a driver circuit to control normal and reverse operations of a motor, said bridge circuit comprising switching elements and having a first power input terminal, said driver circuit having a second power input terminal connected to a power source, said driver circuit being adapted to drive said bridge circuit, wherein a voltage drop element having a non-linear current-to-voltage characteristic is connected between said power source and said first power input terminal such that a voltage at said first power input terminal is lower than that at said second power input terminal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
An electric power steering apparatus for causing a bridge circuit and a driver circuit to control normal and reverse operations of a motor, said bridge circuit comprising switching elements and having a first power input terminal, said driver circuit having a second power input terminal connected to a power source, said driver circuit being adapted to drive said bridge circuit, wherein a voltage drop element having a non-linear current-to-voltage characteristic is connected between said power source and said first power input terminal such that a voltage at said first power input terminal is lower than that at said second power input terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said voltage drop element comprises a diode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein voltages at said first and second power input terminals have a difference corresponding to a forward-biased voltage drop component of said diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said switching elements include transistors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
143 words
An electric power steering apparatus for controlling normal and reverse rotation operation of a motor comprising: a power source; a bridge circuit comprising switch elements connected with said motor and a first power input terminal for receiving power from said power source; a driver circuit which drives said bridge circuit and has a second power input terminal connected with said power source; a first diode having one terminal connected with said power source and the other terminal connected with said first power input terminal so that a voltage at said first power input terminal is lower than that at said second power input terminal by an amount corresponding to a forward-biased voltage drop component of said first diode; and a second diode connected between said power source and said first power input terminal parallel to said first diode but with its polarity reversed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
143 words
An electric power steering apparatus for controlling normal and reverse rotation operation of a motor comprising: a power source; a bridge circuit comprising switch elements connected with said motor and a first power input terminal for receiving power from said power source; a driver circuit which drives said bridge circuit and has a second power input terminal connected with said power source; a first diode having one terminal connected with said power source and the other terminal connected with said first power input terminal so that a voltage at said first power input terminal is lower than that at said second power input terminal by an amount corresponding to a forward-biased voltage drop component of said first diode; and a second diode connected between said power source and said first power input terminal parallel to said first diode but with its polarity reversed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-08-10 | 1991-02-09 | 1991-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-10 | 1995-02-09 | 1995-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-10 | 1999-02-09 | 1999-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |