Method and apparatus for detecting a motor stall condition in an electric assist steering system

Abstract

A vehicle electric assist steering system (10) includes a switching circuit (56) for providing electrical power to an electric motor (52) of the vehicle steering system. The switching circuit (56) has a temperature condition. A temperature sensor (69) is coupled with the switching circuit (56) for providing an output signal (71) having a value indicative of the temperature condition of the switching circuit (56). A stall detector (70) is responsive to the output signal (71). The stall detector (70) is operable to reduce power to the electric motor to different level during a stall condition based on the sensed temperature condition of the switching circuit (56).

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