Abstract: In vehicle roll sensing of the present invention, a self-aligning torque (SAT) estimator estimates a composite value of SATs generated on tire contact patch of right and left wheels. A slip angle computer detects a vehicle speed and a steering angle and computes a slip angle of the wheel from the measured vehicle speed and steering angle. An SAT model value computer estimates an SAT model value as a composite value of SATs of the right and left wheels when no load shifts between the right and left wheels on the basis of the slip angle. A load shift ratio estimator estimates a load shift state of the right and left wheels on the basis of the composite value of the SATs of the wheels and the SAT model value. A vehicle rollover estimator estimates a rollover of the vehicle on the basis of the estimated load-shift state.

Abstract: A creep drive control device according to the invention sets a target creep vehicle speed when a driver has neither one of an acceleration intention or a stop maintenance intention. An engine output is increased (or decreased) by a vehicle speed increase processing (or a vehicle speed decrease processing), or a braking force is decreased (or increased), and an actual vehicle speed is controlled so as to be equal to the target creep vehicle speed or a value in the proximity thereof. The target creep vehicle speed, and respective engine output and braking force increase amounts and decrease amounts are corrected and set in accordance with driving conditions, road surface conditions and driver operations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a road condition estimation apparatus for estimating a road condition for use in a vehicle having steering control unit for actuating a device mechanically independent of a manually operated steering member to steer each wheel.

Abstract: When a vehicle stops, a brake control unit maintains a braking force applied on a wheel by a braking-force application unit for maintaining a halted state. In this state, if a driver depresses the accelerator pedal to execute starting of the vehicle, the braking force is gradually decreased, and the vehicle starts at a speed that accords with a degree of accelerator opening and a gradient of a road on which the vehicle is stopped. When a movement direction at this time is the same as a movement direction intended by the driver, the braking force is decreased to zero for smooth starting. When the movement direction is opposite to the intended movement direction, the braking force is increased to control the movement in the opposite direction, such that the movement changes from the opposite direction to the same direction, and finally, smooth starting in the desired direction is executed.

Abstract: A brake control ECU of an automatic braking apparatus calculates an awareness level in accordance with: whether or not there are a braking pedal or accelerator pedal operations; whether or not there are shift and steering wheel operations; and whether a level of a driver's eye movement lowers. When the brake control ECU determines that the awareness level has decreased, it controls the hydraulic braking apparatus so as to increase a provision braking force applied for a certain period and with a certain cycle to each wheel 4FR, 4FL, 4RR, 4RL. Accordingly, vibration caused by increase and decrease of the braking force is generated in a body of a vehicle that is running. This vibration arouses the driver whose level of consciousness has decreased.

Abstract: An electric control system for an automotive vehicle, including a peripheral control device for electrically controlling an actuator device, a central control device connected to the peripheral control device, and an input device, wherein the central control device and the peripheral control device cooperate with each other to control the actuator device on the basis of an output of the input device. The input device is connected to both of the central control device and the peripheral control device.

Abstract: A brake control apparatus for controlling at least three brake devices provided for braking respective at least three wheels of an automotive vehicle which includes two wheels located on respective left and right sides of the vehicle, wherein an emergency brake control portion is provided for controlling at least two normal brake devices when at least one of the at least three brake devices is defective, such that a difference between a total left-side braking force to be generated by at least one normal brake device located on the left side of the vehicle and a total right-side braking force to be generated by the other normal brake device or devices located on the right side is made larger when operations of all of the normal brake devices in a detected running condition of the vehicle are not likely to deteriorate the vehicle running stability, than when the operations of all of the normal brake devices in the detected running condition are likely to deteriorate the vehicle running stability.

Abstract: A brake control apparatus for controlling at least three brake devices provided for braking respective at least three wheels of an automotive vehicle which includes two wheels located on respective left and right sides of the vehicle, wherein an emergency brake control portion is provided for controlling at least two normal brake devices when at least one of the at least three brake devices is defective, such that a difference between a total left-side braking force to be generated by at least one normal brake device located on the left side of the vehicle and a total right-side braking force to be generated by the other normal brake device or devices located on the right side is made larger when operations of all of the normal brake devices in a detected running condition of the vehicle are not likely to deteriorate the vehicle running stability, than when the operations of all of the normal brake devices in the detected running condition are likely to deteriorate the vehicle running stability.

Abstract: A vehicle brake apparatus includes a brake pedal, a wheel brake cylinder operatively mounted on a wheel for applying a braking force to the wheel in proportion to a hydraulic braking pressure, a pressure source for pressurizing brake fluid to generate a hydraulic braking pressure and supply the hydraulic braking pressure to the wheel brake cylinder, and an auxiliary pressure source for pressurizing brake fluid in response to operation of the brake pedal to generate a hydraulic braking pressure and supply the hydraulic braking pressure to the wheel brake cylinder when the pressure source is non-operational. A mechanical valve is operatively mounted between the wheel brake cylinder and the auxiliary pressure source. A first passage is connected between the auxiliary pressure source and the mechanical valve and a second passage is connected between the mechanical valve and the wheel brake cylinder.

Abstract: A brake control apparatus is provided with a simulator for applying a biasing force to a manually operated braking member of a vehicle in response to braking operation. A sensor detects conditions of the vehicle including a braking condition of the vehicle. A first biasing device applies a first biasing force to the manually operated braking member in response to braking operation, and a second biasing device applies a second biasing force, as well. Only one of the first and second biasing devices applies the biasing force to the manually operated braking member when a predetermined condition is detected by the sensor, while both of the first and second biasing devices apply the biasing forces in the normal braking operation.

Abstract: A load transmitting elastic member is interposed between an input rod and a piston of a master cylinder or a piston of a pedal stroke simulator to which the operation force of a brake pedal is applied from the input rod. The set load of the load transmitting elastic member is lower than the predetermined load required for causing the piston to begin to slide and the maximum load of the load transmitting elastic member is higher than the predetermined load required for causing the piston to begin to slide. The stroke of the brake pedal thus begins through application of a small depression force applied to the brake pedal and so the operational feeling of the brake pedal is improved.

Abstract: A vehicle brake control system includes a detecting device that receives a driver's braking intention which is in the form of a physical variable and outputting an electric signal indicating the intention, a vehicle brake device that establishes a brake operation by applying a braking force to a wheel brake device, and a control device that controls the vehicle brake device such that the braking force is in the form of an independent braking force of the electric signal and a dependent braking force on the electric signal at an initial stage and at a successive stage thereof, respectively.

Abstract: A brake pressure control device for a vehicle includes a wheel brake, a reservoir, a master cylinder, an accumulator which stores the fluid pressure at a pressure higher than the fluid pressure generated by the master cylinder, and a fluid pump which discharges fluid pressure higher than the fluid pressure in the accumulator. A first fluid conduit connects the master cylinder to the wheel brake, a second fluid conduit connects the fluid pump to the wheel brake, a third fluid conduit connects the fluid pump to the accumulator, a fourth fluid conduit connects the accumulator to the suction port of the fluid pump, and a fifth fluid conduit connects the wheel brake to the reservoir. A first valve opens and closes the first fluid conduit, a second valve opens and closes the second fluid conduit, a third valve opens and closes the third fluid conduit, a fourth valve opens and closes the fourth fluid conduit, and a fifth valve opens and closes the fifth fluid conduit.

Abstract: A vacuum brake booster with an automatic braking actuation system of the type which includes an electric actuator assembled with a power piston to effect forward movement of a valve plunger assembly when activated under control of an electronic controller, wherein a depression amount of a brake pedal is detected to calculate a depression speed of the brake pedal based on the detected depression amount, and wherein the electric actuator is activated when the calculated depression speed of a brake pedal exceeds a predetermined threshold value and is deactivated when a release amount of the brake pedal is more than a predetermined value.