Abstract: A follow distance control apparatus controls a follow distance without giving an uncomfortable feel to a driver during a deceleration control regardless of a selected control mode. A front-vehicle running ahead of an own-vehicle is detected by a sensor such as a radar. A deceleration apparatus, which decelerates the own-vehicle, is controlled by a controller based on an output signal of the sensor. The controller controls the deceleration apparatus according to selected one of a short distance control mode and a long distance control mode. In the short distance control mode, an actual value of the following distance is controlled to be shorter. In the long distance control mode, the actual value of the following distance is controlled to be longer.

Abstract: An alarm device generates an alarm when a distance between a vehicle and an object that exists in a set region in front of the vehicle is smaller than a set distance. A controller of the alarm device determines a tentative set distance based on at least one of a running speed of the vehicle and a relative velocity between the vehicle and the object, and then corrects the tentative set distance based on at least a deceleration of the vehicle, so as to determine a final set distance.

Abstract: A running control apparatus and method control the state of running of a vehicle based on a relative positional relationship between the vehicle and a preceeding vehicle. In a case where a brake is actuated if the deceleration deviation obtained by subtracting an actual deceleration from a target deceleration is at least a third threshold &Dgr;&agr;s3, the brake is actuated provided that an object body detected by a laser radar device is a preceeding vehicle and that the same-lane probability that the preceeding vehicle is running in the same lane as the vehicle is at least a set probability. Thus, the brake is actuated when there is a high probability that braking is needed. Therefore, erroneous operation of the brake can be reduced.

Abstract: A vehicle operation control apparatus for controlling a running state of a vehicle based on a relative positional relationship between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle running in a predetermined area ahead of the vehicle. The vehicle operation control apparatus comprises a controller that determines a target deceleration of the vehicle based on the relative positional relationship between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle. The controller controls a deceleration of the vehicle so that the deceleration of the vehicle approaches the target deceleration and maintains the target deceleration until a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: In a vehicular braking control apparatus and method, the hydraulic pressure on a wheel cylinder is gradually reduced with a relatively gentle gradient of reduction (k3) at the time when a braking operation member, operated by an operating person of the vehicle, is detected to have been operated to a predetermined position. At the time when a state of the braking operation is detected to have reached a predetermined threshold, the hydraulic pressure on the wheel cylinder is reduced with a relatively great gradient of reduction (k2). Therefore, it is possible to reduce vibrations of a brake pedal or the change in deceleration while adopting a relatively simple construction.

Abstract: A brake control apparatus comprising a brake fluid pressure sensor for detecting the brake fluid pressure of the wheel cylinder for a braking system. That is, the brake fluid pressure sensor detects the condition of braking. The brake fluid pressure is controlled. The brake fluid pressure is increased based on a predetermined pressure increase gradient in the initial stage of the automatic braking, and is decreased based on a predetermined pressure decrease gradient in the latter stage of the automatic braking.

Abstract: An alarm device generates an alarm when a distance between a vehicle and an object that exists in a set region in front of the vehicle is smaller than a set distance. A controller of the alarm device determines a tentative set distance based on at least one of a running speed of the vehicle and a relative velocity between the vehicle and the object, and then corrects the tentative set distance based on at least a deceleration of the vehicle, so as to determine a final set distance.

Abstract: A vehicle operation control apparatus for controlling a running state of a vehicle based on a relative positional relationship between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle running in a predetermined area ahead of the vehicle. The vehicle operation control apparatus comprises a controller that determines a target deceleration of the vehicle based on the relative positional relationship between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle. The controller controls a deceleration of the vehicle so that the deceleration of the vehicle approaches the target deceleration and maintains the target deceleration until a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A running control apparatus and method control the state of running of a vehicle based on a relative positional relationship between the vehicle and a preceeding vehicle. In a case where a brake is actuated if the deceleration deviation obtained by subtracting an actual deceleration from a target deceleration is at least a third threshold &Dgr;&agr;s3, the brake is actuated provided that an object body detected by a laser radar device is a preceeding vehicle and that the same-lane probability that the preceeding vehicle is running in the same lane as the vehicle is at least a set probability. Thus, the brake is actuated when there is a high probability that braking is needed. Therefore, erroneous operation of the brake can be reduced.

Abstract: In a vehicular braking control apparatus and method, the hydraulic pressure on a wheel cylinder is gradually reduced with a relatively gentle gradient of reduction (k3) at the time when a braking operation member, operated by an operating person of the vehicle, is detected to have been operated to a predetermined position. At the time when a state of the braking operation is detected to have reached a predetermined threshold, the hydraulic pressure on the wheel cylinder is reduced with a relatively great gradient of reduction (k2). Therefore, it is possible to reduce vibrations of a brake pedal or the change in deceleration while adopting a relatively simple construction.

Abstract: A fuel vapor treating apparatus that collects fuel vapor produced in a fuel tank and treats the vapor without releasing it into the atmosphere. The treating apparatus is provided with a canister that collects the fuel vapor through a vapor line. A vapor control valve provided in the canister adjusts the flow of fuel vapor directed toward the canister from the tank. A purge line connects the canister to an air intake passage of an engine. The fuel collected in the canister is purged into the air intake passage through the purge line. A purge control valve provided in the purge line adjusts the flow rate of the fuel flowing through the purge line. A three-way valve selectively switches the section to which the pressure sensor is connected between the tank side and the canister side. An electronic control unit (ECU) controls the second control valve and the three-way valve.

Abstract: An AI-based adaptive vehicle control system which controls the speed of a vehicle in accordance with the driving characteristics of the driver. In effecting the follow-up driving which corresponds to the driving characteristics of the driver, the vehicle environment such as the distance between the vehicle and the vehicle in front, the relative speed, and the relative position, and the running state such as the speed and the steering angle of the vehicle itself are detected, and a danger index is calculated from the detected vehicle environment and running state in accordance with the driver's sense of driving. The danger index is calculated by the fuzzy induction from the membership functions which are determined in advance in accordance with a general driver's sense of driving. The running state of the vehicle such as the speed is controlled in accordance with the danger index.