Abstract: In a system of accelerating a car using a brake operating mechanism, the driver is required to be ready to step on the brake operating mechanism so as to rapidly decelerate the car in order to avoid danger, if necessary, while he is releasing his foot from the brake operating mechanism, which is a burden for the driver. Therefore, a footrest function range and a braking force increasing function range are provided to an operating amount or an operating force of a pedal 13.

Abstract: In a system of accelerating a car using a brake operating mechanism, the driver is required to be ready to step on the brake operating mechanism so as to rapidly decelerate the car in order to avoid danger, if necessary, while he is releasing his foot from the brake operating mechanism, which is a burden for the driver. Therefore, a footrest function range and a braking force increasing function range are provided to an operating amount or an operating force of a pedal 13.

Abstract: A control system for an automotive vehicle is capable of realizing superior control precision and response ability by an intake air flow rate control on the basis of a fuel injection amount which is, in turn, derived on the basis of a target torque even in lean-burn condition. The control system controls at least one of vehicle speed, a vehicular distance, driving wheel speed, slip ratio toward a target value, derives a target torque of an engine on the basis of the target value, a fuel injection amount for the engine on the basis of the target torque of the engine, a target air supply amount to the engine on the basis of the fuel injection amount derived by the vehicle condition control means and an actual air supply amount of the engine. The control system controls the actual air supply amount toward the target air supply amount.

Abstract: A controller of a vacuum brake power booster which amplifies an input force of a brake pedal and outputs the amplified force to a brake device, is characterized by comprising a control signal generating means generating a plurality of kinds of signals for controlling the vacuum brake power booster, and a means for switching or selecting the plurality of signals on the basis of an input different from one of the brake pedal.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling an automotive vehicle are disclosed, in which a control amount for securing safety of the vehicle and the control amount for achieving a state intended for by the driver of the vehicle are switched in such a manner as to reduce the shock due to the change in the torque generated from the power train, thereby accomplishing both safety and maneuverability at the same time. A first target value is set for controlling at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate. A second target value is calculated in accordance with the drive mode intended for by the driver or the driving environment ahead of the vehicle. In the case where a deviation exceeding a predetermined value develops between the first target value and the second target value, the fluctuations of at least one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate are suppressed.

Abstract: To provide an engine power-train control apparatus and method for securing both operability and safety by controlling an actual acceleration/deceleration to a target acceleration/deceleration requested by a driver under an undangerous traveling condition and changing the target acceleration/deceleration so as to take precedence of safety traveling if the driver encounters a dangerous traveling condition.

Abstract: The vehicle power train control method and apparatus according to the invention secures both operability and safety by controlling an actual acceleration/deceleration to a target acceleration/deceleration requested by a driver under safe traveling condition, and changing the target acceleration/deceleration so as to take precedence for safe traveling if the driver encounters a dangerous traveling condition. According to the invention, acceleration/deceleration and speed of a motor vehicle are detected; a target acceleration/deceleration is determined; and a road condition such as a road gradient or presence or absence of a forward motor vehicle is detected to decide whether the road condition is dangerous. The target acceleration is changed if the condition is decided to be dangerous.

Abstract: Described herein is a run environment recognizing apparatus. The run environment recognizing apparatus comprises an imaging device for sensing the direction of traveling of a host vehicle as imaging vision, a radar for detecting the direction of traveling of the host vehicle as a detection range, an image processing device for recognizing traveling lanes, leading vehicles and stationary objects located ahead of the host vehicle, based on the image information sensed by the imaging device and the result of detection by the radar, and a display for displaying the results of recognition by the image processing device. The image processing device includes means for setting vehicle regions indicative of the leading vehicles within the image information, based on the result of detection by the radar. Thus, the influence of the leading vehicles in the process for recognizing the traveling lanes within the image information is eliminated by the vehicle regions.

Abstract: An intelligent cruise control system is capable of maintaining a car-to-car distance allowing a collision to be avoided and carrying out follow-up running control without providing a sense of incompatibility to the driver. A radar circuit employed in a radar unit calculates a relative speed Vr of a car running ahead of a vehicle with an intelligent cruise control system installed therein with respect to the vehicle and a distance dr from the vehicle to the preceding car from a wave reflected by the preceding car. An ICC unit adjusts the speed of the vehicle by controlling the output of the engine of the vehicle in accordance with information such as the relative speed Vr and the distance dr received from the radar unit. In a follow-up running mode, the ICC unit controls the cruise of the vehicle in such a way that the speed of the vehicle and the distance from the vehicle to the preceding car are maintained at a target speed and a target car-to-car distance respectively.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to provide a control device and method for realizing safe running of a vehicle by making accurate judgment of the driving skill of a driver. The vehicle safe-running control device comprises: a means for setting a target course for a vehicle; a means for determining an actual course followed by a wheel of the vehicle; a course deviation calculation means for calculating a difference between the two course; a driving ability decision means for judging the driving ability of a driver of the vehicle; a control parameter calculation means for calculating control parameters according to the driving ability; and a power train control means required for controlling the running of the vehicle.

Abstract: The vehicle power train control method and apparatus according to the invention secures both operability and safety by controlling an actual acceleration/deceleration to a target acceleration/deceleration requested by a driver under safe traveling condition, and changing the target acceleration/deceleration so as to take precedence for safe traveling if the driver encounters a dangerous traveling condition. According to the invention, acceleration/deceleration and speed of a motor vehicle are detected; a target acceleration/deceleration is determined; and a road condition such as a road gradient or presence or absence of a forward motor vehicle is detected to decide whether the road condition is dangerous. The target acceleration is changed if the condition is decided to be dangerous.

Abstract: The vehicle power train control method and apparatus according to the invention secures both operability and safety by controlling an actual acceleration/deceleration to a target acceleration/deceleration requested by a driver under safe traveling condition, and changing the target acceleration/deceleration so as to take precedence for safe traveling if the driver encounters a dangerous traveling condition. According to the invention, acceleration/deceleration and speed of a motor vehicle are detected; a target acceleration/deceleration is determined; and a road condition such as a road gradient or presence or absence of a forward motor vehicle is detected to decide whether the road condition is dangerous. The target acceleration is changed if the condition is decided to be dangerous.

Abstract: An inter-vehicle distance measuring apparatus is composed of an inter-vehicle data measuring and transmitting unit for measuring and transmitting inter-vehicle distance data related to the distance between a vehicle in front and a host vehicle, a communications unit installed by a road for receiving the inter-vehicle distance data transmitted from the inter-vehicle data measuring and transmitting unit, an inter-vehicle distance measuring unit for measuring the distance between the vehicle in front and the host vehicle, a correction amount determining unit for calculating a correction amount for correcting the distance between the vehicle in front and the host vehicle measured by the measuring unit based on the inter-vehicle distance data received by the communications unit, and a correcting unit for correcting the distance between the vehicle in front and the host vehicle measured by the inter-vehicle distance measuring unit based on the correction amount.