Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle controller that predicts the behavior of the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle in accordance with the input road shape by use of the mass models of the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle before determining the acceleration of the host vehicle based on the result of the driver model and behavioral prediction. The unintended acceleration of the driver and the two-step deceleration can be thereby less frequent. And the algorithm the vehicle controller possesses alleviates the sense of discomfort felt by the driver. The vehicle controller further enables the cruise control in keeping with the intended driving operation of the driver while the security is ensured even when both the adaptive cruise control (ACC) and the deceleration control ahead of curve are to be performed simultaneously.

Abstract: A lane change assist system is comprised of a host vehicle state detecting device that detects a host vehicle traveling condition, a surrounding vehicle detecting device that detects other vehicle located around the host vehicle, a lane detecting device that detects a lane around the host vehicle, and a processing unit. The processing unit is arranged to set a target lane, to determine a period of a lane change assist, to set a predicted period for an evaluation of a lane change to the target lane based on a prediction, to obtain an appropriate speed range during the predicted period for each gap, and to select a target vehicle speed from the appropriate speed range.

Abstract: A vehicle operation support apparatus includes a vehicle operation plan determination section to determine a vehicle operation plan including a future time series of a selection of a planned target vehicle and a future time series of a selection of a planned target lane position over a prediction horizon of time. The vehicle operation plan determination section includes an operation part to predict a future time series of a state of a vehicle group over the prediction horizon in accordance with a candidate value of the vehicle operation plan, the vehicle group including the host vehicle and each detected vehicle, an operation part configured to perform an evaluation operation of providing a quantitative measure in accordance with the predicted value of the time series vehicle group state, and an operation part configured to generate the vehicle operation plan by optimization based on the evaluation operation.

Abstract: A model predictive control apparatus includes an initial solution generation section, an abnormality handling section, and an objective function adjustment section. The abnormality handling section performs initial solution generation when it is determined that performed optimization is abnormal. The initial solution generation section generates an initial optimal value of a future time series control input in accordance with an initial objective function, without reference to a candidate value of the time series control input. The objective function adjustment section adjusts the current objective function so that the current objective function varies stepwise with time toward the normal objective function when it is determined that the current objective function is different from the normal objective function.

Abstract: A motor torque control apparatus for an automotive vehicle includes a transmission which has either one of a fixed speed ratio and a variable speed ratio; at least one motor/generator coupled with the transmission as a propelling power source of the vehicle, a power of the power source being transmitted to a road wheel for propulsion of the vehicle through the transmission; and a controller configured to be electrically connected to the motor/generator for motor torque control. Moreover, this controller includes a disturbance observer that estimates a driving force, and a motor torque control section that controls the driving force estimated by the disturbance observer, to bring the estimated driving force closer to a target driving force by way of servo control.

Abstract: In control apparatus and method for a hybrid vehicle, a target driving power and a target driving torque are calculates from at least one of detected values and estimated values of both of a vehicle speed and an accelerator opening angle, a target engine speed is calculated from the target driving power; and target values of motor torques of the first and second motors/generators and of an engine torque are set from at least one of revolution speed variation rates of any two revolution elements of a power transmission mechanism of the hybrid vehicle and a running resistance torque, the target engine speed, an engine speed, the target driving power, and the target driving torque in such a manner that no excessive lack in the driving torque for the target driving torque occurs and a deviation between the target engine speed and the engine speed is decreased.

Abstract: In shift control apparatus and method for a hybrid transmission suitable for use in a hybrid vehicle, at least one of a target drive torque and a target input revolution acceleration to be a value within a realizable region to be set as a drive torque command value or an input revolution command acceleration is corrected in such a manner that polarities of the target drive torque and the target input revolution acceleration are left unchanged, in a case where a combination of the target drive torque with the target input revolution acceleration falls out of a realizable region on two-dimensional coordinates of the drive torque and the input revolution acceleration, the drive torque command value and the input revolution acceleration command value contributing to controls of the main power source and the motor/generators in place of the target drive torque and the target input revolution acceleration.

Abstract: In system and method for improving operator driving assistance of an automotive vehicle, at an indication of acceleration timing and magnitude and the lane change timing, a lane change necessity is calculated and a lane change trigger signal is produced while the host vehicle is operated on a road that has at least three lanes and, at the calculation of the lane change necessity and at the production of the lane change signal, a new lane change trigger signal is prohibited to indicate until a forward lane change operation is deemed to be completed, in a case where the vehicle is traveling on a multiple number traffic lane road.

Abstract: A vehicle operation support apparatus includes a vehicle operation plan determination section to determine a vehicle operation plan including a future time series of a selection of a planned target vehicle and a future time series of a selection of a planned target lane position over a prediction horizon of time. The vehicle operation plan determination section includes an operation part to predict a future time series of a state of a vehicle group over the prediction horizon in accordance with a candidate value of the vehicle operation plan, the vehicle group including the host vehicle and each detected vehicle, an operation part configured to perform an evaluation operation of providing a quantitative measure in accordance with the predicted value of the time series vehicle group state, and an operation part configured to generate the vehicle operation plan by optimization based on the evaluation operation.

Abstract: An active vibration controller has: a sensor configured to measure a physical quantity related to vibration of a vehicle body; an actuator arranged on a floor panel of the vehicle body and configured to deform itself to thereby deform the floor panel; and a control unit configured to control the actuator according to the measured physical quantity in such a way as to reduce noise caused by the vibration of the vehicle body. The actuator is installed on a member of the floor panel whose rigidity is greater than an average rigidity of the entire floor panel.

Abstract: A motor torque control apparatus for an automotive vehicle includes a transmission which has either one of a fixed speed ratio and a variable speed ratio; at least one motor/generator coupled with the transmission as a propelling power source of the vehicle, a power of the power source being transmitted to a road wheel for propulsion of the vehicle through the transmission; and a controller configured to be electrically connected to the motor/generator for motor torque control. Moreover, this controller includes a disturbance observer that estimates a driving force, and a motor torque control section that controls the driving force estimated by the disturbance observer, to bring the estimated driving force closer to a target driving force by way of servo control.

Abstract: A model predictive control apparatus includes an initial solution generation section, an abnormality handling section, and an objective function adjustment section. The abnormality handling section performs initial solution generation when it is determined that performed optimization is abnormal. The initial solution generation section generates an initial optimal value of a future time series control input in accordance with an initial objective function, without reference to a candidate value of the time series control input. The objective function adjustment section adjusts the current objective function so that the current objective function varies stepwise with time toward the normal objective function when it is determined that the current objective function is different from the normal objective function.

Abstract: A lane change assist system is comprised of a host vehicle state detecting device that detects a host vehicle traveling condition, a surrounding vehicle detecting device that detects other vehicle located around the host vehicle, a lane detecting device that detects a lane around the host vehicle, and a processing unit. The processing unit is arranged to set a target lane, to determine a period of a lane change assist, to set a predicted period for an evaluation of a lane change to the target lane based on a prediction, to obtain an appropriate speed range during the predicted period for each gap, and to select a target vehicle speed from the appropriate speed range.

Abstract: In a toroidal continuously variable transmission (TCVT) control apparatus with a variator unit and a ratio control hydraulic system, an electronic TCVT control unit electronically feedback-controls a transmission ratio based on a deviation from a desired transmission ratio, and generates a normal-period command signal to be input to a step motor for compensating for the deviation. The control unit determines whether the deviation can be compensated for by electronically feedback-controlling the transmission ratio based on the deviation and generates an abnormal-period command signal to be input to the step motor to realize a step-motor displacement capable of shifting or diverging the transmission ratio to a speed-reduction side, while keeping a trunnion out of contact with a stopper in the direction of the trunnion axis, when the deviation cannot be compensated for by electronically feedback-controlling the transmission ratio based on the deviation.

Abstract: A toroidal continuously-variable transmission shift control apparatus includes a controlling section to control an actual transmission ratio toward a target transmission ratio by producing a control command in one of a forward traveling control mode for a forward vehicle traveling state, and a reverse traveling control mode; and a control modifying section arranged to select one of the forward traveling control mode and the reverse traveling control mode in accordance with a first parameter representing a driver's intention. The control modifying section is configured to detect a change of the vehicle traveling direction in accordance with a second parameter which is the actual transmission ratio, and to modify the shift control of the toroidal continuously-variable transmission so as to shift the actual transmission ratio to a speed decreasing side upon detection of the change of the vehicle traveling direction.

Abstract: A method improves operator assistance of an automobile. On substantially real time basis, data on the automobile and on intervehicle relationship involving the automobile are collected. The data are processed to determine variables for evaluation. The determined variables are evaluated to recommend control input.

Abstract: A system for enhanced ratio control in a continuously variable transmission (CVT) includes a ratio control element positionable by an actuator in response to an actuator command to establish various CVT ratios in the CVT. At least one sensor generates a train of pulses indicative of speed of rotation of a predetermined rotary member of the CVT. A measured CVT ratio generator derives information of an actual CVT ratio out of at least the train of pulses to give a measured value of CVT ratio. A filter processes the measured value of CVT ratio in a manner to refine the information of the actual CVT ratio to give an estimated value of CVT ratio. A command generator determines the actuator command such that the actuator command remains unaltered when a deviation of the estimated value of CVT ratio from a desired value of CVT ratio stays within a dead zone.

Abstract: Operating range of feedback in CVT ratio control has been extended by use of stabilized values as an actual value of CVT ratio. The actual value of CVT ratio is derived from first and second pulse train signals provided by input and output speed sensors. Updating of rotational speed of the input member is repeated at intervals governed by the first pulse train. Updating of rotational speed of the output member is repeated at intervals governed by the second pulse train. Updating of an old value of a ratio between the latest value of the rotational speed of the input member and the latest value of the rotational speed of the output member to a new value thereof is repeated each time immediately after the rotational speeds of the input and output members have been updated since the latest updating of an old value of the ratio.

Abstract: In shift control apparatus and method for a hybrid transmission suitable for use in a hybrid vehicle, at least one of a target drive torque and a target input revolution acceleration to be a value within a realizable region to be set as a drive torque command value or an input revolution command acceleration is corrected in such a manner that polarities of the target drive torque and the target input revolution acceleration are left unchanged, in a case where a combination of the target drive torque with the target input revolution acceleration falls out of a realizable region on two-dimensional coordinates of the drive torque and the input revolution acceleration, the drive torque command value and the input revolution acceleration command value contributing to controls of the main power source and the motor/generators in place of the target drive torque and the target input revolution acceleration.

Abstract: In control apparatus and method for a hybrid vehicle, a target driving power and a target driving torque are calculates from at least one of detected values and estimated values of both of a vehicle speed and an accelerator opening angle, a target engine speed is calculated from the target driving power; and target values of motor torques of the first and second motors/generators and of an engine torque are set from at least one of revolution speed variation rates of any two revolution elements of a power transmission mechanism of the hybrid vehicle and a running resistance torque, the target engine speed, an engine speed, the target driving power, and the target driving torque in such a manner that no excessive lack in the driving torque for the target driving torque occurs and a deviation between the target engine speed and the engine speed is decreased.