Abstract: A road surface friction coefficient estimating device includes a braking/driving force detecting section for detecting the braking/driving force of a wheel during traveling, a slip ratio detecting section for detecting the slip ratio of the wheel during traveling, and a road surface ? calculating section for estimating the relationship between the detected braking/driving force and the detected slip ratio on the basis of the ratio between the detected braking/driving force and the detected slip ratio, the correlation between the braking/driving force and the slip ratio in the case of the reference road surface, and at least either the detected braking/driving force or the detected slip ratio.

Abstract: Apparatus for estimating a ground contact surface gripping characteristic of a vehicle wheel of a vehicle comprises an input section and an output section. The input section sets an input representing a ratio of a wheel force acting on the vehicle wheel in the ground contact surface, and a wheel slipping degree of the vehicle wheel. The output section determines, from the input, an output representing a grip characteristic parameter indicative of the gripping characteristic of the vehicle wheel.

Abstract: Branched polymers including multi-branched polymers, functionalized branched polymers, star-branched polymers, and dendigraft polymers. Methods for the synthesis of branched polymers and method for the use of branched polymers in tire components are also included.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising at least one polymer having a degree of unsaturation of no more than about 50 mol %; a filler selected from the group consisting of carbon black, silica, and mixtures thereof; and a polymeric additive comprising a functional end group reactive with said filler, wherein said polymeric additive has a degree of unsaturation of no more than about 50 mol % and a number average molecular weight between about 1,000 and about 25,000. The composition may optionally contain one or more polymers having a degree of unsaturation of more than 50 mol %. The composition may be particularly useful as a component for a tire.

Abstract: Apparatus (or method) for estimating a gripping characteristic of a vehicle wheel of a vehicle on a ground contact surface includes first input section (or step), a second input section (or step) and an output section (or step). The first input section sets a first input which is a ratio of a first wheel force acting on the vehicle wheel in the ground contact surface in a first direction, and a first wheel slip degree. The second input section sets a second input which is a ratio of a second wheel force acting on the vehicle wheel in the ground contact surface in a second direction, and a second wheel slip degree of the vehicle wheel. The output section determines, from the first and second inputs, an output which is a grip characteristic parameter indicative of the gripping characteristic of the vehicle wheel.

Abstract: A road surface friction coefficient estimating device includes a braking/driving force detecting section for detecting the braking/driving force of a wheel during traveling, a slip ratio detecting section for detecting the slip ratio of the wheel during traveling, and a road surface ? calculating section for estimating the relationship between the detected braking/driving force and the detected slip ratio on the basis of the ratio between the detected braking/driving force and the detected slip ratio, the correlation between the braking/driving force and the slip ratio in the case of the reference road surface, and at least either the detected braking/driving force or the detected slip ratio.

Abstract: A road surface friction coefficient estimating device includes a lateral force detecting section for detecting the lateral force of a wheel during traveling, a slip angle detecting section for detecting the slip angle of the wheel during traveling, and a road surface ? calculating section for estimating the relationship between the detected lateral force and the detected slip angle on the basis of the ratio between the detected lateral force and the detected slip angle, the correlation between the lateral force and the slip angle in the case of the reference road surface, and at least either the detected lateral force or the detected slip angle.

Abstract: A vehicular steering control apparatus is comprised of a steering system of receiving a steering torque inputted by a driver, a torque control actuator connected to the steering system to produce an actuator torque relative to the steering torque and a steering controlling section connected to the torque actuator. The steering controlling section controls the torque control actuator and increases a phase delay of the actuator torque relative to the steering torque toward a neighborhood of 180° as the frequency of the inputted steering torque increases.

Abstract: In order to enhance the accuracy of estimation of a vehicle's sideslip angle, a sideslip angle estimation apparatus calculates an angle between the direction of centrifugal force acting on the vehicle body during cornering and the lateral direction of the vehicle body based on accelerations exerted on the vehicle body and acting in two different directions. A sideslip angle between the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and the direction of travel of the vehicle is calculated based on the estimated angle.

Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus includes a vehicle steering system and a supplemental steering force applying device. The supplemental steering force applying device is configured and arranged to apply a supplemental steering force to the vehicle steering system to reduce a steering load on the operator. The supplemental steering force applying device includes a steering torque detecting section, a rectilinear driving condition detecting section, a pulling suppression control section. The rectilinear driving condition detecting section is configured and arranged to detect a rectilinear driving condition of the vehicle. The pulling suppression control section is configured and arranged to adjust the supplemental steering force in a direction canceling a pulling force imparted on the vehicle during the rectilinear driving condition by using a pulling suppression force calculated based on historical data of the steering torque detected during the rectilinear driving condition.

Abstract: Branched polymers including multi-branched polymers, functionalized branched polymers, star-branched polymers, and dendigraft polymers. Methods for the synthesis of branched polymers and method for the use of branched polymers in tire components are also included.

Abstract: Apparatus for estimating a ground contact surface gripping characteristic of a vehicle wheel of a vehicle comprises an input section and an output section. The input section sets an input representing a ratio of a wheel force acting on the vehicle wheel in the ground contact surface, and a wheel slipping degree of the vehicle wheel. The output section determines, from the input, an output representing a grip characteristic parameter indicative of the gripping characteristic of the vehicle wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle motion control device is configured to determine whether the lane in which the vehicle is traveling is straight or curved. If the road is curved, a target yaw rate is set such that the yaw rate of the vehicle to the target position is averaged. If the road is straight, the target yaw rate is set such that the response delay does not exceed a target value. Therefore, wavering of the vehicle with respect to the lane is suppressed, and the vehicle is controlled to move smoothly when the road is curved and briskly when the road is straight. When the road switches between a curved road and a straight road, the target yaw rate is gradually changed between a target yaw rate calculated for a curved road and a target yaw rate calculated for a straight road.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coating compositions for use on the surface of elastomeric articles and materials. The compositions are useful in the manufacture of rubber goods such as tires.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising at least one polymer having a degree of unsaturation of no more than about 50 mol %; a filler selected from the group consisting of carbon black, silica, and mixtures thereof; and a polymeric additive comprising a functional end group reactive with said filler, wherein said polymeric additive has a degree of unsaturation of no more than about 50 mol % and a number average molecular weight between about 1,000 and about 25,000. The composition may optionally contain one or more polymers having a degree of unsaturation of more than 50 mol %. The composition may be particularly useful as a component for a tire.

Abstract: An electric power steering system for an automotive vehicle, including a steering torque detecting device which detects a steering torque of a steering shaft. An electric motor is provided to generate an assist torque for assisting a driver's steering effort required for steering the vehicle and a counter-assist torque for increasing the driver's steering effort. The assist torque and the counter-assist torque are applied to a steering mechanism. Additionally, a controller is provided to output a drive command to the electric motor in accordance with the detected steering torque. The drive command is for causing the electric motor to generate the counter-assist torque when the detected steering torque is a transitional torque.

Abstract: A rubber formulation with good wet traction properties includes one or more elastomers and at least two types of particulate filler materials including at least one of which has a relatively high free surface energy in water (i.e., a supplemental filler). The formulation containing the supplemental filler(s) can provide a vulcanizate that has a British pendulum (skid) number that is at least ˜5% greater than that of a vulcanizate made from an essentially identical formulation that does not contain the supplemental filler(s). Also provided is a method for providing such a formulation which involves identifying one or more supplemental fillers having relatively high free surface energies in water, replacing at least 15% (by wt.) of one or more of the conventional particulate fillers in the formulation with an approximately equivalent volume of supplemental filler particles, and providing the modified formulation.

Abstract: A lane-keep control system includes a traveling condition detector and a controller. The controller includes a steering intention detecting section that detects whether a driver has an intention to steer a vehicle, a first steering torque control section that controls, when the driver has no intention to steer the vehicle, a steering torque according to the traveling condition so that the vehicle keeps a predetermined position between lane markings of a lane, and a second steering torque control section that controls, when the driver has an intention to steer the vehicle, the steering torque according to the traveling condition so that a steering operation of the driver is readily reflected on steering of the vehicle. A lane-keep control method is also provided.

Abstract: In order to enhance the accuracy of estimation of sideslip angle ?, a sideslip angle estimation apparatus calculates a first sideslip angle ?2 between the direction of centrifugal force acting on the vehicle body during cornering and the lateral direction of the vehicle body based on accelerations exerted on the vehicle body and acting in two different directions. A sideslip angle between the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and the direction of travel of the vehicle is calculated based on the calculated first sideslip angle ?2.

Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus includes a vehicle steering system and a supplemental steering force applying device. The supplemental steering force applying device is configured and arranged to apply a supplemental steering force to the vehicle steering system to reduce a steering load on the operator. The supplemental steering force applying device includes a steering torque detecting section, a rectilinear driving condition detecting section, a pulling suppression control section. The rectilinear driving condition detecting section is configured and arranged to detect a rectilinear driving condition of the vehicle. The pulling suppression control section is configured and arranged to adjust the supplemental steering force in a direction canceling a pulling force imparted on the vehicle during the rectilinear driving condition by using a pulling suppression force calculated based on historical data of the steering torque detected during the rectilinear driving condition.