Abstract: In a vehicle control system, an index used to set a running characteristic of a vehicle is obtained based on a running condition of the vehicle. A change of the index that makes behavior of the vehicle crisper is more likely to occur than a change of the index that makes the behavior of the vehicle milder. When it is determined that the vehicle is in a turning condition, the change of the index or a change of the miming characteristic based on the index is less likely to occur than when it is determined that the vehicle is not in the turning condition.

Abstract: A vehicle control system obtains an index indicating a running condition of a vehicle on the basis of a vehicle parameter indicating a motion of the vehicle and then sets a running characteristic of the vehicle in accordance with the index. The vehicle control system includes a noise reduction unit that is configured to obtain the index on the basis of the vehicle parameter of which a fluctuating component that fluctuates because of a driver's driving operation or the influence of a running road surface.

Abstract: A vehicle control system capable of improving drivability by reflecting driving environment and driving preference accurately on driving characteristics. The vehicle control system is configured to change an index for setting driving characteristics of the vehicle. When accelerations Gx and Gy are changed, a sportiness index is changed in a different manner depending on a detail of an operation for changing accelerations Gx and Gy executed by a driver, thereby reflecting the driving preference of the driver appearing on the operation can be reflected on sportiness of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle control system, which is configured to obtain an index on the basis of a running condition of a vehicle and to change at least any one of a driving force control characteristic and a vehicle body support characteristic of a suspension mechanism in response to the index, is configured to acquire information associated with a friction coefficient of a road surface on which the vehicle runs, and to correct the at least any one of the driving force control characteristic and the vehicle body support characteristic, which is changed in response to the index, on the basis of the information associated with the friction coefficient of the road surface.

Abstract: A first arbitration unit determines one demand engine torque of static demand engine torques set in a power train driver model and an ECT torque control system. The demand engine torque determined by the first arbitration unit is converted into dynamic demand engine torque by a conversion unit. A second arbitration unit determines demand engine torque for use in control of an engine from among the dynamic demand engine torque converted from the static demand engine torque by the conversion unit, dynamic demand engine torque set by a VDIM system, and dynamic demand engine torque set by a vibration suppression control system. An engine control system controls the engine according to the demand engine torque determined by the second arbitration unit.

Abstract: A control device for an internal-combustion engine designed to ensure that required responsiveness is obtained as actual torque responsiveness with respect to a torque demand even when the torque responsiveness with respect to the actuation of a particular actuator is affected by the operating conditions. A response compensating filter is provided at a preceding stage to an air inverse model, and the target torque which has been corrected by the response compensating filter is converted by the air inverse model to obtain a target opening degree of a throttle. A time constant of the response compensating filter is set on the basis of the operating conditions of the internal-combustion engine so that the responsiveness of actual torque with respect to the torque demand reaches a preset standard responsiveness.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes: an accessory that adjusts torque that is output from an internal combustion engine, by giving load to the internal combustion engine; an ignition timing control portion that is provided so as to adjust ignition timing of the internal combustion engine, and that adjusts the torque output from the internal combustion engine by performing a retardation control of the ignition timing; an accessory load adjustment portion that adjusts an accessory load that is the load given from the accessory to the internal combustion engine; and a catalyst that purifies exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine. The ignition timing control portion reduces the retardation of the ignition timing with increase in temperature of the catalyst. The accessory load adjustment portion increases the accessory load with increase in the temperature of the catalyst.

Abstract: A first arbitration unit determines one demand engine torque of static demand engine torques set in a power train driver model and an ECT torque control system. The demand engine torque determined by the first arbitration unit is converted into dynamic demand engine torque by a conversion unit. A second arbitration unit determines demand engine torque for use in control of an engine from among the dynamic demand engine torque converted from the static demand engine torque by the conversion unit, dynamic demand engine torque set by a VDIM system, and dynamic demand engine torque set by a vibration suppression control system. An engine control system controls the engine according to the demand engine torque determined by the second arbitration unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle integrated-control apparatus and method that controls at least a drive control system, a brake control system, and a dynamic behavior control system in an integrated manner.

Abstract: Various state amounts of a vehicle body detected by various types of sensors are captured (step 102). A maximum frictional force Fimax is calculated for each of wheels (steps 104 to 110). By use of the maximum frictional force Fimax and other physical quantities, a performance function not dependent on respective magnitudes of a vehicle body generating force and a yaw moment is defined, which performance function is prepared by means of a performance function in a case in which the vehicle body generating force is larger than the yaw moment, and a performance function in a case in which the vehicle body generating force is not larger than the yaw moment (step 112).

Abstract: An SAT estimator 16 estimates the SAT generated between the road surface and the tire. A slip angle arithmetic unit 18 estimates the front wheel slip angle. A lateral force detector 180 computes the lateral force generated in the wheels. An SAT model value arithmetic unit 22 computes the SAT model value from the slip angle estimate and the lateral force value. A front-rear direction quantity-of-state arithmetic unit 240 computes the front-rear direction quantity of state generated in the wheels. A grip level estimator 26 estimates the grip level from the SAT estimated by the SAT estimator 16, the SAT model value computed by the SAT model value arithmetic unit 22, and the front-rear direction quantity of state estimated by the front-rear direction quantity-of-state arithmetic unit 240.

Abstract: An SAT estimating section estimates self-aligning torque (SAT) on the basis of a steering torque, which is detected by a steering torque detecting section, and an assist torque, which is detected by an assist torque detecting section. An SAT model value computing section computes an SAT model value by using an integrated slip angle ?I. An SAT ratio/drift amount computing section computes, by on-line identification, a ratio (SAT ratio) of the SAT to the SAT model value, and a drift amount of a lateral acceleration sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided in which, when a slip between a wheel and a road surface is increased, a driving and braking control is performed to reduce the slip. A change rate in a wheel vertical load is determined. A mode of the driving and braking control is changed based on the determined change rate. The change of mode may be performed by changing at least one of the start of the driving and braking control, the reduction rate or the lower bound during the temporary reduction of the braking force or driving force, and the increasing rate during increasing the braking or driving force after the temporary reduction, or the like, according to the change rate in the wheel vertical load.

Abstract: Various state amounts of a vehicle body detected by various types of sensors are captured (step 102). A maximum frictional force Fimax is calculated for each of wheels (steps 104 to 110). By use of the maximum frictional force Fimax and other physical quantities, a performance function not dependent on respective magnitudes of a vehicle body generating force and a yaw moment is defined, which performance function is prepared by means of a performance function in a case in which the vehicle body generating force is larger than the yaw moment, and a performance function in a case in which the vehicle body generating force is not larger than the yaw moment (step 112).

Abstract: An integrated vehicle motion control system is provided in which the software configuration is formed in a hierarchical structure, and includes (a) a command section adapted to determine target vehicle state quantities based on driving related information, and (b) an executing section adapted to receive the target vehicle state quantities as commands from the command section, and execute the commands by means of a plurality of actuators. The command section includes an upper-level command section adapted to determine first target vehicle state quantities based on the driving related information, without taking account of the dynamic behavior of the vehicle, and a lower-level command section adapted to determine second target vehicle state quantities inview of the dynamic behavior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A new and novel device for controlling a steering characteristic of a vehicle such as automobile so as to enhance an effect of suppressing a change in a behavior of the vehicle body due to a difference between driving and braking forces on the left and right wheels is characterized in that the device makes an amount of controlling the steering characteristic smaller as an index indicating an amount of a shift of vertical loads between the left and right wheels is increased. The steering characteristic is modified through controlling steering assist torque or a steering angle of the steered wheels. The steering assist by the steering control device is fully effective when the vehicle is running on a straight road having surfaces of different frictional coefficients while less effective on a curved road having a uniform frictional surface, preventing undesirable and unexpected modification of the steering characteristic during turning of the vehicle.

Abstract: An SAT estimator 16 estimates the SAT generated between the road surface and the tire. A slip angle arithmetic unit 18 estimates the front wheel slip angle. A lateral force detector 180 computes the lateral force generated in the wheels. An SAT model value arithmetic unit 22 computes the SAT model value from the slip angle estimate and the lateral force value. A front-rear direction quantity-of-state arithmetic unit 240 computes the front-rear direction quantity of state generated in the wheels. A grip level estimator 26 estimates the grip level from the SAT estimated by the SAT estimator 16, the SAT model value computed by the SAT model value arithmetic unit 22, and the front-rear direction quantity of state estimated by the front-rear direction quantity-of-state arithmetic unit 240.

Abstract: An integrated vehicle motion control system is provided in which the software configuration is formed in a hierarchical structure, and includes (a) a command section adapted to determine target vehicle state quantities based on driving related information, and (b) an executing section adapted to receive the target vehicle state quantities as commands from the command section, and execute the commands by means of a plurality of actuators. The command section includes an upper-level command section adapted to determine first target vehicle state quantities based on the driving related information, without taking account of the dynamic behavior of the vehicle, and a lower-level command section adapted to determine second target vehicle state quantities inview of the dynamic behavior of the vehicle.

Abstract: An SAT estimating section estimates self-aligning torque (SAT) on the basis of a steering torque, which is detected by a steering torque detecting section, and an assist torque, which is detected by an assist torque detecting section. An SAT model value computing section computes an SAT model value by using an integrated slip angle &agr;I. An SAT ratio/drift amount computing section computes, by on-line identification, a ratio (SAT ratio) of the SAT to the SAT model value, and a drift amount of a lateral acceleration sensor.

Abstract: A new and novel device for controlling a steering characteristic of a vehicle such as automobile so as to enhance an effect of suppressing a change in a behavior of the vehicle body due to a difference between driving and braking forces on the left and right wheels is characterized in that the device makes an amount of controlling the steering characteristic smaller as an index indicating an amount of a shift of vertical loads between the left and right wheels is increased. The steering characteristic is modified through controlling steering assist torque or a steering angle of the steered wheels. The steering assist by the steering control device is fully effective when the vehicle is running on a straight road having surfaces of different frictional coefficients while less effective on a curved road having a uniform frictional surface, preventing undesirable and unexpected modification of the steering characteristic during turning of the vehicle.